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==Content==
[[File:Illustration Ben Sira 25.jpg|thumb|Illustration for the Book of Sirach, circa 1751]]
The Book of Sirach is a collection of ethical teachings that closely resembles [[Book of Proverbs|Proverbs]], except that—unlike the latter—it is presented as the work of a single author and not as an anthology of [[Maxim (philosophy)|maxims]] or [[aphorism]]s drawn from various sources. The teachings of the Book of Sirach apply to all people regardless of circumstances. Many of them are rules of courtesy and politeness, and they contain advice and instruction as to the duties of man toward himself and others, especially the poor and the oppressed, as well as toward society and the state, and most of all toward God. Wisdom, in Ben Sira's view, is synonymous with [[fear of God|submission to the will of God]], and sometimes is identified in the text with adherence to the [[Law of Moses|Mosaic law]]. The question of which sayings originated with the Book of Sirach is open to debate, although scholars tend to regard
By contrast, the author exhibits little compassion for women and slaves. He advocates distrust of and possessiveness over women,<ref name=Trenchard>See, e.g, Sirach 42:12–14, especially v. 14a ("Better the wickedness of a man than the goodness of a woman."); Sirach 22:3 ("A father is disgraced by producing an ignorant son, But a daughter is born to his loss."). For these translations, see {{Citation|last=Trenchard|title=Ben Sira's View of Women|pages=147, 135 respectively}}. The Book of Sirach also has some neutral and positive remarks about women, e.g., 7:27; 36:24–25.</ref> and the harsh treatment of slaves (which presupposes the validity of slavery as an institution),<ref name=Sirach33>See: Sirach 33:24–28 ("Fodder and a stick and burdens for an ass; bread and discipline and work for a servant. Set your slave to work, and you will find rest; leave his hands idle, and he will seek liberty. Yoke and thong will bow the neck, and for a wicked servant there are racks and tortures ... Set him to work, as is fitting for him, and if he does not obey, make his fetters heavy."). But see: Sir. 33:30–31 ("If you have a servant, let him be as yourself, because you have bought him with blood. If you have a servant, treat him as a brother, for as your own soul you will need him.")</ref> positions which are not only difficult for modern readers, but cannot be completely reconciled with the social milieu at the time of its composition.
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The Book of Sirach contains the only instance in a biblical text of explicit praise for physicians (chapter {{bibleverse-nb|Sirach|38|NRSV}}), though other biblical passages take for granted that medical treatment should be used when necessary.<ref name=Exodus21>{{Bibleverse|Exodus|21:19|HE}}</ref><ref name=Ezekiel34>{{Bibleverse|Ezekiel|34:4|HE}}</ref> This is a direct challenge against the idea that illness and disease were seen as penalties for sin, to be cured only by repentance.<ref name=Snaith1974>Snaith, John G. (1974), ''Eccleciasticus, or the Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach'', The Cambridge Bible Commentary on the New English Bible, Cambridge University Press {{page?|date=October 2022}}</ref>
As in [[Ecclesiastes]], the author exhibits two opposing tendencies: the faith and the morality of earlier times, and an [[Epicureanism]] of modern date. Occasionally
Throughout the text runs the prayer of Israel imploring God to gather together his scattered children, to bring to fulfillment the predictions of the Prophets, and to have mercy upon his Temple and his people. The book concludes with a justification of God, whose wisdom and greatness are said to be revealed in all God's works as well as in the history of Israel. The book ends with the author's attestation, followed by two hymns (chapter {{bibleverse-nb|Sirach|51|NRSV}}), the latter a sort of alphabetical [[acrostic]].
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