II. Design and Method. — The object of this book is to propound the true nature of wisdom, and to set forth the religious and social duties which slie teaches us to follow tlirough all the varied stages and vicissitudes of this life, thus exhil)iting the practical end of man's existence Ijy reviewing life in all its diffca-ent bearings and aspects. Wisdom is represented here, as in Prov- erbs, as the source of Iniman happiness, and tluj same views of human life, founded (m the belief of a recom- pense, pervade the instructions of this liook also, wherein, however, a more matured reflection is per-
ceptible (De Wette's Einleitung). It is, in fact, the composition of a philosopher who had deeply studied the fortunes and manners of mankind, and did not hesitate to avail himself of the philosophy of older moralists : xii, 8-xiii, 23; xv, 11-20; xvi, 26-xvii, 20; xix, C-17; xxiii, 16-27; xxvi, 1-18; xxx, 1-13; xxxvii, 27; xxxviii, 15, 24-xxxix, 11, etc. {lb.). It abounds in grace, wisdom, and spirit, althouiih seme- times more particular in inculcating principles of po- liteness than those of virtue (Cellerier, Introd. li, la Lecture des Liv. Saints). It is not unfrequently mark- ed by considerable beauty and elegance of expression, occasionally rising to the sublimest heights of human eloquence {Christian Rememhrancer, vol. ix). It has been observed of it bj' Addison (see Home's Introd. vol. iv) that "it would be regarded by our modern wits as one of the most shining tracts of morality that are extant if it appeared under the name of a Confu- cius, or of an}- celebrated Grecian philosopher."
In addition to the fact that no Palestinian produc- tion, whether inspired or uninspired, can be reduced to a logically developed treatise according to Aristotelian rules, there are difficulties in tracing the plan of this book, arising from the peculiar circumstances of the author, as well as from the work itself. Ben-Sira brings to the execution of his plan the varied expe- rience of a studious and practical life, and in his great anxiety not to omit any useful lesson which he has gathered, he passes on, after the manner of an Eastern logic, from the nature of heavenly wisdom to her godlj' teachings, from temptation in her varied forms to filial duties ; he discloses before the eyes of his readers the inward workings of the heart and mind, he depicts all passions and aspirations, all the virtues and vices, all the duties towards God and man, in proverbs and apo- thegms, in sajangs Avhich have been the property of the nation for ages, and in maxims and parables of his own creation, with a rapidity and suddenness of transi- tion which even an Eastern mind finds it at times dif- ficult to follow. Add to this that the original Hel)rew is lost, that the Greek translation is very obscure, that it has been mutilated for dogmatic purposes, and that some sections are transposed beyond the hope of read- justment, and the difficult}' of displaying satisfactorily the method or plan of this book will at once be appar- ent, and the differences of opinion respecting it will be no matter of surprise. The book (see Fritzsche's proleg. in his Commentar') is divisible into seven parts or sections: 1. Comprising chaps, i-xvi, 21, describes the nature of wisdom, gives encouragements to submit to it, as well as directions for conducting ourselves in harmony with its teachings ; 2. xvi, 22-xxiii, 17, shows God in the creation, the position man occupies with re- gard to his Maker, gives directions how he is to con- duct himself under different circumstances, and how to avoid sin ; 3. xxiv, 1-xxx, 24 ; xxxiii, 12-xxxvi, 16* ; xxx, 25-27, describes wisdom and the law, and the writer's position as to the former, gives proverbs, maxims, and admonitions about the conduct of men in a social point of view ; 4. xxx, 28-xxxiii, 11 ; xxxvi, 16''-22, describes the wise and just conduct of men, the Lord and his people; 5. xxxvi, 23-xxxix, 11, instruc- tions and admonitions about social matters; C. xxxix, 12-xlii, 14, God's creation, and the position man occu- pies with regard to it ; 7. xlii, 11-1, 26, the praise of the Lord, how he had glorified himself in the works of nature, and in the cclelirated ancestors of the Jewish people. Tliereu]ion follows an epilogue, ch. 1, 27-29, in which the author gives his name, and declares those happy who will ponder over the contents of this book, and act according to it ; as well as an appendix, ch. 11, 1-30, praising the Lord for deliverance from danger, descriliing how the writer has successfully followed the paths of wisdoin from his very youth, and calling upon the uneducated to get the precious treasures of wisdom.
III. Its Unity. — The peculiar difficulties connected
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