The Book of Ecclesiasticus is preceded by a prologue which professes to be the work of the Greek translator of the original Hebrew and the genuineness of which is undoubted. In this preface to his translation, the writer describes how he was deeply impressed by the wisdom of the sayings and so wished by his translation to place those valuable teachings within the reach of anyone desiring to live in a more perfect accord with the law of God. The fundamental thought of the author is that of wisdom as understood and inculcated in inspired Hebrew literature. The contents may be divided into two great parts: chs. i-xlii, 14; and xlii, 15-1, 26. The sayings which chiefly make up the first part, tend directly to inculcate the fear of God and the fulfillment of His commands, wherein consists true wisdom. This they do by pointing out, in a concrete manner, how the truly wise man shall conduct himself in the manifold relationships of practical life. Together with these maxims, which resemble clo
