Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
c. 180 BC · Apocrypha / Deuterocanonical Books
About this text
A large collection of practical wisdom, ethical instruction, and theological reflection by Jesus ben Sirach. Similar to Proverbs but more expansive.
Significance
Widely quoted by church fathers. Contains the famous "Let us now praise famous men" passage.
Key excerpts
"Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers that begat us."
"A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter: he that has found one has found a treasure."
"Do not say, I sinned, and what happened to me? For the Lord is slow to anger."
Scripture cross-references
- Proverbs 17:17 — "A friend loves at all times" — same wisdom tradition
- Hebrews 11 — The "Hall of Faith" — structured like Sirach's "praise of famous men"
Continue exploring
This text is one of 10 in the Apocrypha / Deuterocanonical Books category, and one of 62 across the entire library.