Abstract

This article tries to give answer to the question which text of Ben Sira is inspired andcanonical. We know that, for the Book of Ben Sira, the Tradition gave us two types of text. Theshorter form, which refers to the Hebrew original of Ben Sira, and the longer form - probably theresult o f a later revision o f the Hebrew text. The two types are testified in Hebrew manuscriptsfrom the Cairo Geniza. The Greek uncial manuscripts have the shorter form, many Greek cursives follow the longer form as well as the Latin and Syriac Versions. According to the Council of Trent the longer form is canonical because it is preserved in the Latin version Vulgate. But the
Tradition knows both types of text, and in a special way, many modern translations choose the shorter form. The shorter form has abgut 150 verses more, and presents a development of theological thought. It not a question of Textual Criticism, but it is necessary to choose one of them. Does this exclude from the other the inspiration and canonicity? This article proposes to use both types, considering both of them inspired. The biblical inspiration is in this view a continue assistance and collaboration of the Holy Spirit in the long process of formation and transmission of the biblical text.