Sirach

Jeremy Corley gained his doctorate in Biblical Studies in 1996 at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Since 2011 he has lectured in Sacred Scripture at St Patrick's Pontifical University, Maynooth (Ireland). His publications include Ben Sira's Teaching on Friendship (2nd ed., 2020), the New Collegeville Bible Commentary volume on Sirach (2013), and an edited volume, New Perspectives on the Nativity (2009).Jessie Rogers gained her doctorate at the Department of Ancient Studies in the University of Stellenbosch (South Africa) in 1999 with a dissertation: ""Is Wisdom a Mediatrix in Sirach?"" Since 2014 she has lectured in Sacred Scripture at St Patrick's Pontifical University, Maynooth (Ireland). After serving as Dean of Theology, she is now the Director of the university's Centre for Mission and Ministries. She has published numerous articles in Biblical Studies and Spirituality.

The book of Sirach praises the study of the law, the wisdom of the men of old and their prophecies. Its author is well-read and rearticulates traditional Jewish wisdom for his generation, centering it on fear of the Lord, and clearly asserting that wisdom is a gift from God. He encourages his audience to remain steadfast in following the law of Moses rather than following the ways of the dominant pagan Greek culture.