These additions introduce the religious note lacking in the biblical Esther, which does not even mention God. A beautiful prayer is ascribed to Esther, in which she, as a devout Jewess, opens her heart to the Lord.
Wisdom Literature.
If Syrian paganism showed the influence of the Greek at his worst on Jewish morals, Ben Sirach and Wisdom of Solomon are indications of the influence of Greek thought at its best on Jewish thinkers. Together with the Bible books of Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes, they form a group called "Wisdom Literature." A large part of both books is devoted to the value of wisdom, but it is that wisdom the beginning of which is the fear of the Lord.
Ecclesiasticus.
The Wisdom of Jesus (Greek for Joshua), Ben Sirach or Ecclesiasticus is a commentary on the times. It was written about B.C.E. 180, in Judea, before the persecution began under Antiochus, the Syrian who was so little Greek and so largely pagan. It urges obedience to the Law and Commandments and gives copious rules of conduct in every relation of life.
Ben Sirach was a Jewish scribe. Some of his sayings are edited and some are original. Here are a few quotations:
Woe to the sinner that goeth two ways.
Wine and music rejoice the heart, and the love of wisdom is above both.
The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom and the prudence of sinners is not counsel.
They (the laboring class) maintain the fabric of the world; and in the handiwork of their craft is their prayer.
He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is made a mockery.
As one that slayeth his neighbor is he that taketh away his living.
As God's mercy is great, so is His correction also.
Before man is life and death, and whatsoever he liketh shall be given to him.
There is a shame that bringeth sin, and there is a shame that is glory and grace.
A slip on the pavement is better than a slip with the tongue.
Depart from wrong and it shall turn aside from thee.
He that keepeth the law bringeth offerings enough.
He that requiteth a good turn offereth fine flour.
If thou come to serve the Lord prepare for adversity.
Let not reverence of any man cause thee to fall.
Hide not thy wisdom in its beauty.
Rejoice not over the death of thy greatest enemy but remember that we die all.
Forsake not an old friend, for the new is not comparable to him.
Unto the slave that is wise shall they that are free do service.
The bee is little among such as fly; but her fruit is the chief of sweet things.
Judge none blessed before his death.
The rich man hath done wrong yet he threateneth withal. The poor man is wronged and he must entreat also.
Blessed is he whose conscience has not condemned him.
He that despiseth small things by small things shall he fall.
Wisdom that is hid and treasure that is hoarded, what profit is there in both?
He that setteth a trap shall be taken therein.
He that revengeth shall find vengeance from the Lord.
The stroke of the whip maketh marks in the flesh, but the stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones.
Wisdom of Solomon.
The influence of Greek ideas on Ben Sirach is slight, in Wisdom of Solomon it is pronounced. Indeed, this latter book was written in Greek, in Alexandria, the centre of Hellenist government. Its date is about 100 B.C.E. Like most of the books of this collection, it is ascribed to one of the great men of the Bible. Here King Solomon exhorts the rulers of the earth to seek wisdom and to shun idolatry. He expatiates on the influence of divine wisdom on life as exemplified in the noble souls of Israel's great past. Here are some extracts:
Beware of murmuring which is unprofitable: and refrain your tongue from back-biting: for there is no word so secret that shall go for nought.
Honorable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years.
If riches be a possession to be desired in this life, what is richer than wisdom that worketh all things.
Fear is nothing else but a betraying of the succours which reason offereth.
For these men (idolators) there is but small blame, if they peradventure do but go astray while they are seeking God and desiring Him.
Even if we sin, we are Thine. But we shall not sin, knowing that we have been accounted Thine; for to be acquainted with Thee is perfect righteousness.
Court not death in the error of thy life. God made not death, nor delighteth He when the living perish, for He created all things that they might have being.
Wisdom is the effulgence from everlasting light, and the unspotted mirror of the working of God and the image of His goodness.
Surely vain are all men by nature who are ignorant of God,
And could not out of the good things that are seen know Him that is:
But deemed either fire or wind or the swift air,
Or the circle of the stars, or the violent water, or the light of heaven,
To be the gods which govern the world....
For, if astonished at their power let them understand
Through them how much mightier is He that made them....
To know God is perfect righteousness,
Yea, to know thy powers is the root of immortality.