Overview

Although it is found in every major extant Christian manuscript ofthe Old Testament, the later exclusion of the Wisdom of Sirach (also known as Ecclesiasticus) from the Protestant canon has made it one of the little-known gems of Holy Scripture. Composed in Hebrew and translated into Greek in the second century before Christ, it is among the last books of the Old Testament. Sirach represents the more primitive and conservative aspect of Israel's Wisdom tradition-the practical application of the fear of God to daily life-but he enhances that tradition by a singular attention to biography and historical literature in the shaping of the soul. In short, Wise Lives. Sirach's social context-the struggle to preserve the Jewish religion and culture against the corrosive influence of Hellenic paganism-will resonate with Christians living in the secular world today. In this commentary, Fr. Patrick Reardon illustrates for contemporary readers the riches of this often-neglected jewel of the Bible.

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Patrick Henry Reardon served as pastor of All Saints Antiochian Orthodox Church in Chicago, Illinois for many years and is now retired from active ministry. He is a Senior Editor of Touchstone: A Journal of Mere Christianity. Fr. Reardon remains active as a writer and conference presenter and has published many books and articles throughout his long career. He authors the St. James Daily Devotional Guide for the Christian Year, published by Touchstone.

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