There has never been any question about the title of major biblical books, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, or the Gospels; but books like Sirach are not as well known, and as a result their titles often vary. This book goes by two names, each having several variations. The first is the Book of Sirach (or the Book of the Wisdom of Sirach); the second is the Latin name Ecclesiasticus, meaning "church [book]." The first takes its name from the author, and the second from the use of it made by the church-possibly because others had doubts about it. This commentary uses the name Ben Sira for the author, and Sirach for the book. It is unusual for an Old Testament book to bear the name of its author, since the books usually contain the words or deeds of individuals-for example, a book about Jonah, not a book by Jonah. The foreword calls the author "Jesus"; his more complete name is given in 50:27: "Jesus, son of Eleazar, son of Sirach." Ben ("son of") Sira is the common form of his name. Even though we know the author"s name, we know nothing about him other than what we can deduce from the book. He was a family man, given to study and writing. He taught (51:23), read widely, recommended travel, and doubtless enjoyed a good reputation. His concerns reflect upper-class life, and he probably wrote them down in his later life. He has an extraordinary interest in matters liturgical, but this does not prove that he was a priest. CONTENTS - Text and Commentary - The Introduction to Sirach - Solemn Introduction to Wisdom (1:1-29) Lessons on Faithfulness and Humility (2:1-4:10) Pursuit and Marks of Wisdom (4:I1-10:5) Lessons on Pride, Violence, and Wealth (10:6-15:10) Lessons on Sin and Sorrow (15:11-18:13) Counsels About Behavior (18:14-23:27) Attractive and Hateful Things (24:1-36:17) Making Right Judgments (36:18-42:14) Praise of the Lord in Nature (42:15-43:35) Praise of Israel"s Ancestors (44:1-50:29) Appendix (51:1-30)