Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/399

 High Priest  at  Jerusalem,  who  granted  the  request  and  sent  to Alexandria,  the  capital  of  Egypt,  seventy-two  wise  men  well  versed both in  Greek  and  in  Hebrew. These men  were  kindly  received by the  king,  and  made  a correct  translation  for  him  called  for  that reason the  Septuagint. At that  time  educated  men  among  the heathen nations  knew  and  spoke  the  Greek  language. Hence this translation  of  the  Scriptures  began  to  be  read  by  the  pagans, who thereby  came  to  the  knowledge  of  the  true  God,  and  to  the belief in  the  Messias. Thus do  we  see  the  hand  of  Divine  Providence, in  His  design  to  prepare  the  Gentiles  for  the  coming  of the  Saviour.

Almighty God  also  inspired  a pious  Jew,  called  Jesus,  the son of  Sirach,  to  write  a work  on  religious  and  moral  instruction, which forms  one  of  the  books  of  the  Catholic  Bible,  and  is  called Ecclesiasticus. The following  beautiful  maxims  taken  from  it deserve  careful  study. “The fear  of  the  Lord  is  the  beginning and crown  of  wisdom. The word  of  God  is  the  fountain  of wisdom,  and  her  ways  are  everlasting  commandments. The fear of the  Lord  shall  delight  the  heart,  and  shall  give  joy,  and  gladness, and length  of  days. It shall  go  well  with  him  that  feareth  the Lord, and  in  the  days  of  his  end  he  shall  be  blessed. My son, from thy  youth  up  receive  instruction,  and  even  to  thy  grey  hairs thou shalt  find  wisdom.”

“Come to  her  as  one  that  plougheth  and  soweth,  and  wait for her  good  fruits. For in  working  about  her  thou  shalt  labour a little, and  shalt  quickly  eat  of  her  fruits. Take all  that  shall be brought  upon  thee,  and  keep  patience,  for  gold  and  silver  are tried in  the  fire,  but  acceptable  men  in  the  furnace  of  humiliation. Hear the  judgment  of  your  father  and  grieve  him  not  in  his  life.