Table of contents : Cover Praise for the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture Title Page Copyright Page Project Research Team Contents General Introduction A Guide to Using This Commentary Abbreviations Introduction to the Apocrypha Commentary on Tobit Tobit’s Historical Setting Tobit 1:1-2 Deportation Tobit 1:3-22 The Blind Tobit 2:1–3:6 Sarah Tobit 3:7-17 Tobias Tobit 4:1-21 A Fellow Traveler Tobit 5:1-21 The Fish Tobit 6:1-17 Raguel Tobit 7:1-18 The Tomb Tobit 8:1-21 The Wedding Tobit 9:1–10:12 The Eyes Tobit 11:1-19 Raphael Tobit 12:1-2 Zion Tobit 13:1-18 Nineveh Tobit 14:1-15 Commentary on Wisdom of Solomon The Search for God and the Avoidance of Sin Wisdom of Solomon 1:1-15 The Destiny of the Wicked Wisdom of Solomon 1:16–2:9 Fury Against the Righteous Wisdom of Solomon 2:10-20 The Mistake of the Unbelieving Wisdom of Solomon 2:21-24 The Destiny of the Just and the Impious Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-13 Barrenness is Better than Impious Offspring Wisdom of Solomon 3:13–4:6 The Untimely Death of the Just Wisdom of Solomon 4:7-19 The Judgment of the Wicked Wisdom of Solomon 4:20–5:14 Glorious Destiny of the Just and Punishment of the Impious Wisdom of Solomon 5:15-23 The Mighty Will Undergo a Rigorous Judgment Wisdom of Solomon 6:1-11 The Opportunity of Finding Wisdom Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-21 Wisdom is not for a Few Chosen People Wisdom of Solomon 6:22-25 All People are Equal Wisdom of Solomon 7:1-6 Wisdom is more Precious than any Riches Wisdom of Solomon 7:7-14 Wisdom is the Divine Maker of Everything Wisdom of Solomon 7:15-22 In Praise of Wisdom Wisdom of Solomon 7:22–8:1 Wisdom the Ideal Companion of Life Wisdom of Solomon 8:2-16 Prayer for Attaining Wisdom Wisdom of Solomon 8:17-21 Prayer for Obtaining Wisdom Wisdom of Solomon 9:1-18 Wisdom in History: from Adam Until Joseph Wisdom of Solomon 10:1-14 Moses and Exodus Wisdom of Solomon 10:15–11:3 The Miracle of Water Wisdom of Solomon 11:4-14 Divine Moderation Toward Egypt Wisdom of Solomon 11:15-20 God is Capable of Compassion for All Wisdom of Solomon 11:21–12:2 God Also Takes Care of the Canaanites Wisdom of Solomon 12:3-11 God’s Power and Moderation Wisdom of Solomon 12:12-18 God Teaches Mercy and Justice Wisdom of Solomon 12:19-22 The Punishment of the Egyptians as an Example Wisdom of Solomon 12:23-27 Idolatry Deifies Nature Wisdom of Solomon 13:1-9 An Idol is a Dead Object Wisdom of Solomon 13:10–14:11 The Birth of an Idolatrous Cult Wisdom of Solomon 14:12-21 The Consequences of the Idolatrous Cult Wisdom of Solomon 14:22-31 Israel does not Adore Idols Wisdom of Solomon 15:1-6 The Folly of the Potter Who Shapes Idols Wisdom of Solomon 15:7-13 The All-Encompassing Idolatry of the Egyptians Wisdom of Solomon 15:14-19 Frogs and Quails Wisdom of Solomon 16:1-4 The Locusts and the Bronze Serpent Wisdom of Solomon 16:5-14 Hail and Manna Wisdom of Solomon 16:15-29 Darkness and the Pillar of Fire Wisdom of Solomon 17:1–18:4 A Night of Tragedy and Freedom Wisdom of Solomon 18:5-19 Extermination was Threatened in the Desert Wisdom of Solomon 18:20-25 The Red Sea Wisdom of Solomon 19:1-12 Egypt is More Guilty than Sodom Wisdom of Solomon 19:13-17 The Upsetting of the Natural Order Wisdom of Solomon 19:18-22 Commentary on Ecclesiasticus, or the Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach Prologue The Origin of Wisdom Sirach 1:1-10 Fear of God Sirach 1:11-20 Patience and Self-Control Sirach 1:22-24 Wisdom and Probity Sirach 1:25-30 Fear of God in Time of Testing Sirach 2:1-18 Duties Toward Parents Sirach 3:1-16 Do not Look for What is too Difficult for You Sirach 3:17-29 Charity Toward the Poor Sirach 3:30–4:10 Wisdom that Teaches Sirach 4:11-19 Modesty and Respect for Public Opinion Sirach 4:20-31 Wealth and Presumptuousness Sirach 5:1-8 Firmness and Self-Control Sirach 5:9–6:4 Friendship Sirach 6:5-17 The School of Wisdom Sirach 6:18-37 Various Advice Sirach 7:1-21 Children and Parents Sirach 7:22-28 The Priest Sirach 7:29-31 The Poor and the Afflicted Sirach 7:32-36 Prudence and Reflection Sirach 8:1-7 Tradition Sirach 8:8-9 Prudence Sirach 8:10-19 Women Sirach 9:1-9 Relations with Others Sirach 9:10-18 Government Sirach 10:1-5 Against Arrogance Sirach 10:6-18 People Worthy of Honor Sirach 10:19-25 Humility and Truth Sirach 10:26-31 Do not Trust Appearances Sirach 11:1-6 Reflection and Slowness Sirach 11:7-11 We Should Trust God Alone Sirach 11:12-28 Mistrust the Wicked Sirach 11:29-34 Benefits Sirach 12:1-7 True and False Friends Sirach 12:8-18 Go with your Peers Sirach 13:1-26 True Happiness Sirach 14:1-2 Envy and Greed Sirach 14:3-19 The Happiness of the Wise Sirach 14:20–15:10 Human Liberty Sirach 15:11-20 The Wicked are Cursed Sirach 16:1-14 The Certitude of Reward Sirach 16:17-23 Humanity in the Creation Sirach 16:24–17:14 The Divine Judge Sirach 17:15-24 Call to Penance Sirach 17:25-32 God’s Greatness Sirach 18:1-7 Human Beings are Nothing Sirach 18:8-14 How to Make A Gift Sirach 18:15-18 Reflection and Caution Sirach 18:19-29 Self-Control Sirach 18:30–19:3 Against Gossip Sirach 19:4-12 Checking Hearsay Sirach 19:13-17 False and True Wisdom Sirach 19:20-30 Silence and Speech Sirach 20:1-8 Paradoxes Sirach 20:9-17 Clumsy Words Sirach 20:18-23 Lies Sirach 20:24-26 About Wisdom Sirach 20:27-31 Different Sins Sirach 21:1-10 The Wise and the Foolish Sirach 21:11-28 The Indolent and Bad Children Sirach 22:1-6 Wisdom and Foolishness Sirach 22:7-18 Friendship Sirach 22:19-26 Vigilance Sirach 22:27–23:6 Oaths Sirach 23:7-11 Impure Words Sirach 23:12-21 The Adulteress Sirach 23:22-27 Wisdom Speaks Sirach 24:1-22 Wisdom and the Law Sirach 24:23-34 Proverbs Sirach 25:1-2 The Elders Sirach 25:3-6 Blessedness Sirach 25:7-11 Women Sirach 25:13–26:18 Things that Grieve Sirach 26:28 Commerce Sirach 26:29–27:3 Thoughts and Words Sirach 27:4-7 Justice Sirach 27:8-15 Secrets Sirach 27:16-21 Hypocrisy Sirach 27:22-29 Resentment Sirach 27:30–28:7 Strife Sirach 28:8-12 The Tongue Sirach 28:13-26 Lending Sirach 29:1-7 Alms Sirach 29:8-13 Guarantees Sirach 29:14-20 Hospitality Sirach 29:21-28 Education Sirach 30:1-13 Health Sirach 30:14-20 Joy Sirach 30:21-25 Riches Sirach 31:1-11 Banquets Sirach 31:12-24 Wine Sirach 31:25-31 Feasts Sirach 32:1-13 Fear of God Sirach 32:14–33:6 Unequal Conditions Sirach 33:7-18 Independence Sirach 33:19-23 Slaves Sirach 33:24-31 Dreams Sirach 34:1-8 Journeys Sirach 34:9-17 Sacrifices Sirach 34:18-26 Law and Sacrifices Sirach 35:1-11 Divine Justice Sirach 35:12-20 Prayer for Israel’s Liberation and Rebirth Sirach 36:1-17 Discernment Sirach 36:18-20 Choosing A Wife Sirach 36:21-26 False Friends Sirach 37:1-6 Counselors Sirach 37:7-15 True and False Wisdom Sirach 37:16-26 Restraint Sirach 37:27-31 Medicine and Illness Sirach 38:1-15 Bereavement Sirach 38:16-23 The Works of Artisans Sirach 38:24-34 The Scribe Sirach 39:1-11 A Call to Praise God Sirach 39:12-35 Human Misery Sirach 40:1-11 Various Sayings Sirach 40:12-27 Begging Sirach 40:28-30 Death Sirach 41:1-4 The Destiny of the Ungodly Sirach 41:5-13 Shame Sirach 41:14–42:8 Anxiety Concerning a Daughter Sirach 42:9-14 God’s Glory in Nature Sirach 42:15-25 The Sun Sirach 43:1-5 The Moon Sirach 43:6-8 The Stars and the Rainbow Sirach 43:9-12 The Marvels of Nature Sirach 43:13-33 God’s Glory in History: The Praise of the Ancestors Sirach 44:1-15 Enoch and Noah Sirach 44:16-18 Abraham, Isaac and Jacob Sirach 44:19-23 Moses Sirach 45:1-5 Aaron Sirach 45:6-22 Phinehas Sirach 45:23-26 Joshua Sirach 46:1-6 Caleb Sirach 46:7-10 The Judges Sirach 46:11-12 Samuel Sirach 46:13-20 Nathan and David Sirach 47:1-11 Solomon Sirach 47:12-22 Rehoboam and Jeroboam Sirach 47:23-25 Elijah Sirach 48:1-11 Elisha Sirach 48:12-14 Unfaithfulness and Punishment Sirach 48:15-16 Hezekiah Sirach 48:17-21 Isaiah Sirach 48:22-25 Josiah Sirach 49:1-3 Last Kings and Prophets Sirach 49:4-10 Zerubbabel, Joshua and Nehemiah Sirach 49:11-13 Summary Sirach 49:14-16 Simon the Priest Sirach 50:1-24 A Numerical Proverb 50:25-26 Conclusion Sirach 50:27-29 Hymn of Thanksgiving Sirach 51:1-12 Poem on the Search of Wisdom Sirach 51:13-30 Commentary on Baruch Baruch and the Assembly of the Jew in Babylon Baruch 1:1-14 The Confession of Sins Baruch 1:15–2:10 Supplication Baruch 2:11–3:8 Wisdom, a Prerogative of Israel Baruch 3:9–4:4 Jerusalem’s Lamentations and Hopes Baruch 4:5–5:9 Commentary on the Letter of Jeremiah Commentary on the Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three Young Men The Prayer of Azariah The Song of Three Young Men 1-27 The Song of the Three Young Men 28-68 Commentary on Susanna Susanna and Daniel’s Judgment Susanna 1-64 Commentary on Bel and the Dragon Daniel and the Priests of Bel Bel and the Dragon 1-22 Daniel Kills the Dragon Bel and the Dragon 23-30 Daniel in the Lions’ Den Bel and the Dragon 31-42 Appendix: Early Christian Writers and the Documents Cited Biographical Sketches Timeline of Writers of the Patristic Period Bibliography of Works in Original Languages Bibliography of Works in English Translation Authors/Writings Index Subject Index Scripture Index About the Editor Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture More Titles from InterVarsity Press