Jesus Son of Sirach

(Sir 50:27 in common English numbering) - the name applied to two persons: the author of the well-known sacred book and, probably, the man who translated it into Greek. The first lived in Jerusalem, apparently in the time of Simon the Just, nearly three hundred years before Christ. He wrote his book in Hebrew, but history preserves no details of his life. From the book itself we learn that while still young he asked God for wisdom and sought her with all his heart: 'I bowed down mine ear, and received her, and gat much learning.… I purposed to follow her, and earnestly I followed that which is good.… I laboured a little, and found for myself much rest.… I have not laboured for myself only, but for all them that seek wisdom' (Sir 51:13-27; compare 24:34 in common English numbering).