Readers will notice immediately that the prologue to Sirach has no chapter number and is not divided into verses. This is the introduction written by the translator, the author’s grandson. It is not considered canonical—part of the inspired text itself. It is customary, however, to include it with any translation of Sirach. Poetry and prose: Sirach’s entire Hebrew book was written in poetic form, and the Greek translation reflects this. This is consistent with
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