Written in the ashes of Jerusalem. Baruch, secretary to Jeremiah, is credited with this short book of exile: a confession of national guilt, a poem asking "where is wisdom?" in the language of Job, and a letter promising that God will bring his people home. The historical setting is sixth-century Babylon, but the Greek text we have likely took shape centuries later, around the second century BC, as Jews scattered across empires wrestled with the same questions. Its most famous voice belongs to chapter 3 — wisdom, hidden from all humanity, is found with God and given to Israel.

This book is also available in the Revised Version (1895) — modern spelling.