Over seventy different versions of gospels, acts, and epistles by various Christians appeared in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, but they did not make it into the official canonical Bible. They are often referred to as the apocryphal, hidden, or lost books of the Bible. Scholars have been interested in these books to help them understand what some Christian people were thinking about at that time. These writings tell us more about the author’s attitude about Jesus.
interested
The scribes (Sir 39:1-39:5)
“How different is
The one who devotes himself
To the study
Of the law of the Most High.
He seeks out the wisdom
Of all the ancients.
He is concerned with prophecies.
He preserves the sayings
Of the famous.
He penetrates the subtleties
Of the parables.
He seeks out the hidden meanings
Of proverbs.
He is at home
With the obscurities of parables.
He serves among the great men.
He appears before rulers.
He travels in foreign lands.
He learns what is good and evil
In the human lot.
He sets his heart to rise early.
He seeks the Lord who made him.
He petitions the Most High.
He opens his mouth in prayer.
He asks pardon for his sins.”
Sirach is more interested in the scholarly scribes. This seems like a defense of his own life, and what he is doing. He devotes himself to the study of the law of the Most High God. He seeks the wisdom of the ancients and the current prophecies. He preserves the ancient sayings or writings. He penetrates and finds the hidden meanings of the parables and the proverbs. He serves among and appears before the rulers. He even travels in foreign lands so that he can learn about good and evil among all humans. He rises early to seek the Lord. He prays with petitions and penitence to the Most High God. In other words, he is a great righteous man, fully dedicated to the law of God and living it out in his daily life. He is Sirach!
Beware of counselors (Sir 37:7-37:9)
“All counselors praise
The counsel that they give.
But some give counsel
In their own interest.
Be wary of a counselor!
Learn first
What is his interest!
He will take thought
For himself.
He may cast the lot
Against you.
He may tell you.
‘Your way is good.’
Then he may stand aside
To see what happens to you.”
Sirach warns that you should be cautious about consultants. They all think that they are giving you good advice. However, they may be giving you advice that helps them rather than you. After all, they are more interested in themselves than you. They may turn against you. They might say that your idea was good, and then step aside to see what happens.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 