Fourth Maccabees, written by an unknown author, is a philosophical treatise intertwined with graphic portrayals of persecution, torture, and death. The premise is that devout reason is superior to emotion and should therefore rule. The resolute suffering of the people profiled in 4 Maccabees shows how their reasoned faith in God allows them to overcome […]
The book of Wisdom, sometimes called “The Wisdom of Solomon” is patterned after the other wisdom literature in the Bible. Wisdom is an Apocrypha book and not included in all versions of the Bible. The New Jerusalem Bible, Revised Standard Version (RSV), New American Bible (NABRE), Wycliffe Bible (WYC), Common English Bible (CEB), Good News […]
The book of Sirach, also called Ecclesiasticus (not to be confused with Ecclesiastes), is another piece of wisdom literature. It is a compilation of sayings similar in style and content to Proverbs. As such, it’s a valuable collection of practical advice and wise sayings. It’s concluding chapters (44 through 50) pay tribute to some of […]
Some versions of the Bible include additional text for the book of Daniel, which isn’t found in most Protestant versions of the Bible. This additional text rounds out the story of Daniel and gives deeper insight into his life and faith. This complete text of Daniel includes three additional sections inserted into the book: Prayers […]
The Revised Standard Version (RSV), Ethiopian Bible, and original Authorized King James Version (KJV) all include The Prayer of Azariah, but this book isn’t found in most other versions of the Bible. The Prayer of Azariah also goes by Song of the Three Young Men or The Song of the Three Holy Children. In The […]
The Revised Standard Version (RSV), Ethiopian Bible, and original Authorized King James Version (KJV) all include the book of Susanna, but it isn’t found in most other versions of the Bible. Susanna focuses on the pious life and crooked trial of the righteous Susanna, wrongly accused of adultery and sentenced to die. A young Daniel […]
The Revised Standard Version (RSV), Ethiopian Bible, and original Authorized King James Version (KJV) all include the book Bel and the Dragon, but it isn’t found in most other versions of the Bible. Bel and the Dragon take place later in Daniel’s life. Having risen to a position of power, and gaining many enemies due […]
Baruch is a disciple, follower, and trusted friend of Jeremiah. He is also the scribe who wrote down Jeremiah’s words as dictated to him (Jeremiah 36:4). Baruch is the author of the book of Baruch (or at least the first part of it), which serves as a follow-up to the book of Jeremiah since it […]
The book of 1 Esdras is essentially a carefully selected compilation of text from 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah. Interspersed within the condensed text from these other sources is the story of a contest between three of the king’s bodyguards. The bodyguard Zerubbabel wins. As a reward Zerubbabel receives permission to return to […]
In 2 Chronicles 33 we read the story of the evil King Manasseh. In a time of distress Manasseh seeks God and prays. God responds and restores King Manasseh to power (2 Chronicles 33:12-13, 19). In response, King Manasseh undoes many of the wicked things he had done earlier in his life. Though the book […]