n upon its broad, encompassing
walls. To this new capital was attracted a diverse native, Greek, and
Jewish population. By virtue of its strategic position and its commercial
and political importance, it soon became one of the great cities of the
eastern Mediterranean. It occupied the natural site on the eastern
Mediterranean seaboard for the capital of a great empire. Shut in by the
sea on the west and the desert on the east, Syria's natural line of
expansion was north and south. Not until 198 B.C., however, under the
rule of Antiochus the Great, did it secure permanent control of Palestine.
The degenerate house of the Ptolemies made several ineffectual attempts to
win back their lost province, but henceforth Palestine remained under the
rule of Syria. The personal attractions of Antiochus the Great, the
specious promises which he made, and disgust because of the corrupt rule
of Egypt inclined the Jews of Palestine to welcome this change of rulers.
The court at Antioch, however, soon became almost as corrupt as that of
Egypt, and the Jews were the victims of the greed and caprice of the
Syrian despots. Meantime the insidious Greek culture and vices were
influencing and largely undermining the character of the Jewish rulers.
Judaism was unconsciously facing a supreme crisis in its history.

Section CV. THE WISE AND THEIR TEACHINGS

[Sidenote: Pr. 1:2-6]
That men may learn wisdom and instruction,
May understand intelligent discourses,
May receive instruction in wise conduct,
In justice, judgment and equity;
That discretion may be given to the inexperienced,
To the youth knowledge and a purpose;
That the wise man may hear and increase in learning,
And the intelligent man may receive counsel,
That he may understand proverb and parable,
The words of the wise and their riddles.

[Sidenote: Pr. 8:1-6]
Does not Wisdom call?
And Understanding raise her voice?
On the top of high places by the way,
In the midst of the street she stands,
Beside the gateways in front of the city,
At the entrance of the gates she cries aloud:
To you, O men, I call,
And my appeal is to the sons of men.
O inexperienced, acquire discretion,
And ye stupid, gain understanding.
Hear, for I speak true things,
And the utterance of my lips is right.

[Sidenote: Pr. 8:13]
Pride and arrogance and evil conduct
And false speech do I hate.

[Sidenote: Pr. 8:14-16]
With me is counsel and practical knowledge;
With me understanding and might.
B