Changes

==Content==

==Content==

The book of Baruch, according to the text, is a letter from Baruch to his countrymen who remain back at the ruins of Jerusalem.

The book of Baruch, according to the text, is a letter from Baruch to his countrymen who still remain in Jerusalem the 5th year of the exile of king Jechoniah in the 5th year of Zedekiah.

The opening verses ascribe the book to the well-known assistant to the prophet Jeremiah (Jer 32:12; 36:4, 32; 45:1). Baruch was Jeremiah's scribe, his “executive assistant”, and is mentioned several times in the book of Jeremiah (Jer 32, 36, 43, 45). Baruch's name means "blessed." They lived at the tumultuous time just before and during the exile to Babylon.  

The opening verses ascribe the book to the well-known assistant to the prophet Jeremiah (Jer 32:12; 36:4, 32; 45:1). Baruch was Jeremiah's scribe, his “executive assistant”, and is mentioned several times in the book of Jeremiah (Jer 32, 36, 43, 45). Baruch's name means "blessed." They lived at the tumultuous time just before and during the exile to Babylon.  

It is a collection of four very different compositions in two parts, beginning with the Letter to Jerusalem (1:1–3:8), which is most of the book, and ending with an appended work entitled “The Letter of Jeremiah”, from the prophet Jeremiah to the exiles, which circulated separately in major manuscripts of the Greek tradition, .  

Baruch is a collection of four very different compositions in two parts, beginning with the Letter to Jerusalem (1:1–3:8), which is most of the book, and ending with an appended work entitled “The Letter of Jeremiah”, from the prophet Jeremiah to the exiles, which circulated separately in major manuscripts of the Greek tradition, .  

The work attempts to explain the trauma of the exile in terms of a Deuteronomic cycle: sin (of Israel), punishment, repentance, and return (cf. Jgs 2; also Dt 28–33).

The work attempts to explain the trauma of the exile in terms of a Deuteronomic cycle: sin (of Israel), punishment, repentance, and return (cf. Jgs 2; also Dt 28–33).

===First part===

===First part===

The first part is basically a "cover letter" for the second part. It narrates how Baruch read his prophecy aloud to the displaced king Jeconiah and the other exiles in Babylon (1:3-4).  In response to his prophecy the exiles repent to the Lord and send the priest Jehoiakim and a large sum of money to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices at the place where the Temple had been. Interestingly, they commission sacrifices to be offered for their Babylonian oppressors Nebuchadnezzer and Belshazzar (1:11).  But mainly, they offer a prayer of repentence and ask God for his deliverance, counting on his mercy and reminding him of his promises.  Many commentators see a relationship between this part of Baruch and Daniel 9.

The book of Baruch begins with the exiles in Babylon gathering together money to send to Jerusalem for a sacrifice of reparation for sin.

Letter to Jerusalem (1:1–3:8) The book of Baruch begins with a tale of exiles in Babylon gathering together money and all sorts of deported booty from the Temple and sending it all back to. The letter that accompanies it is most of the book.

====Letter to Jerusalem====

Historical Setting (1:1–9) The setting is the 5th year (593 B.C.) in Babylon, where Baruch reads his scroll to the exiled King Jechoniah (Jehoiachin) and the other exiles; they react by sending gifts and the scroll to Jerusalem (1:1–14), presumably by the hand of Baruch (1:7).

 

 

Historical Setting (1:1–9). The setting is the 5th year (593 B.C.) in Babylon, where Baruch reads his scroll to the exiled King Jechoniah (Jehoiachin) and the other exiles; they respond by sending gifts and the scroll to Jerusalem (1:1–14), asking for prayers and sacrifices offered on the altar.

====Confession of Guilt====

Confession of Guilt (1:10–2:10) After a prologue with instructions about the people resuming sacrifice and offering prayers for Nebuchadnezzar and his son Belshazzar (called Nabuchodonosor and Balthasar), Baruch begins confessing the sins of his people which led to the exile–some shocking–and praying they all be delivered by God.

Confession of Guilt (1:10–2:10) After a prologue with instructions about the people resuming sacrifice and offering prayers for Nebuchadnezzar and his son Belshazzar (called Nabuchodonosor and Balthasar), Baruch begins confessing the sins of his people which led to the exile–some shocking–and praying they all be delivered by God.

===Second part===

===Second part===

====Praise of Wisdom====

====Praise of Wisdom====

Praise of Wisdom (3:9–4:4) The second part begins with a poem about God's divine Wisdom and her wondrous attributes (3:9-4:4). His wisdom is to be preferred over gold and silver and its light is a gift from God (3:17, 27). The Lord's wisdom is the same as the Law of Moses (4:1).

Praise of Wisdom (3:9–4:4) The second part begins with a poem about God's divine Wisdom and her wondrous attributes (3:9-4:4). His wisdom is to be preferred over gold and silver and its light is a gift from God (3:17, 27). The Lord's wisdom is the same as the Law of Moses (4:1).

:Importance of Wisdom (3:9–23)

:Importance of Wisdom (3:9–23)