The only passage (in the original form of the book) of a particularistic character is that in which Wisdom is described in having taken up her abode in Israel (xxiv. 6-16), but here it has to be remembered that one of Ben-Sira’s great objects in writing his book was to show the superiority of Israel’s wisdom over that of the Greeks. This, however, is quite different from the later Pharisaic spirit of active hostility to all the Gentile world. There are a few passages which seem to be uttered against the Oral Law. It is true, the _data_ we possess regarding the beginnings of the formation of the Oral Law are very scanty; but it may be safely asserted that, in its technical sense, this was, to some considerable extent, in existence for at least half a century before Ecclesiasticus was written; it is, therefore, probable that Ben-Sira uttered the following words as a protest against what he considered a dangerous innovation: He that seeketh out the Law shall gain her, But the hypocrite shall be snared thereby. They that fear Jehovah discern His judgement, And elicit guidance from the darkness. The man of violence wresteth reproofs,[365] And forceth the Law to suit his necessity (xxxii. 15-17). In this connection it is worth noting that although Ben-Sira approves of the laws concerning the sacrificial system “because it is commanded,” he does not regard their literal observance as binding; he teaches the equal efficacy of spiritual sacrifices in a way which would not have received the approval of the Pharisees, at any rate as long as the Temple was standing; thus, in xxxiv. 18-26 he says: The sacrifice of the unrighteous man is a mocking offering, And unacceptable are the oblations of the godless. The Most High hath no pleasure in the offerings of the ungodly, Neither doth He forgive sins for a multitude of sacrifices.... He who washeth after contact with a dead body and toucheth it again, What hath he gained by his washing? So a man fasting for his sins, And again doing the same, Who will listen to his prayer? And what hath he gained by his humiliation? Then he continues, in xxxv. 1-3, to advocate spiritual sacrifices, though in the verses that follow he urges men not to appear with empty hands in the presence of the Lord; his words in xxxv. 1-3 are as follows— He that keepeth the Law multiplieth offerings, He sacrificeth a peace-offering that heedeth the commandments; He that practiseth kindness offereth fine flour, And he that doeth mercy sacrificeth a thank-offering....