Sirach 38

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Hold the physician in honor, for he is essential to you, and God it was who established his profession.	1 Treat the doctor with the honour that is his due, in consideration of his services; for he too has beencreated by the Lord.
2 From God the doctor has his wisdom, and the king provides for his sustenance.	2 Healing itself comes from the Most High, like a gift received from a king.
3 His knowledge makes the doctor distinguished, and gives him access to those in authority.	3 The doctor's learning keeps his head high, and the great regard him with awe.
4 God makes the earth yield healing herbs which the prudent man should not neglect;	4 The Lord has brought forth medicinal herbs from the ground, and no one sensible wil despise them.
5 Was not the water sweetened by a twig that men might learn his power?	5 Did not a piece of wood once sweeten the water, thus giving proof of its power?
6 He endows men with the knowledge to glory in his mighty works,	6 He has also given some people knowledge, so that they may draw credit from his mighty works.
7 Through which the doctor eases pain and the druggist prepares his medicines;	7 He uses these for healing and relieving pain; the druggist makes up a mixture from them.
8 Thus God's creative work continues without cease in its efficacy on the surface of the earth.	8 Thus, there is no end to his activities; thanks to him, well-being exists throughout the world.
9 My son, when you are ill, delay not, but pray to God, who will heal you:	9 My child, when you are il , do not rebel, but pray to the Lord and he wil heal you.
10 Flee wickedness; let your hands be just, cleanse your heart of every sin;	10 Renounce your faults, keep your hands unsoiled, and cleanse your heart from al sin.
11 Offer your sweet-smelling oblation and petition, a rich offering according to your means.	11 Offer incense and a memorial of fine flour, make as rich an offering as you can afford.
12 Then give the doctor his place lest he leave; for you need him too.	12 Then let the doctor take over -- the Lord created him too -- do not let him leave you, for you need him.
13 There are times that give him an advantage,	13 There are times when good health depends on doctors.
14 and he too beseeches God That his diagnosis may be correct and his treatment bring about a cure.	14 For they, in their turn, wil pray the Lord to grant them the grace to relieve and to heal, and so prolongyour life.
15 He who is a sinner toward his Maker will be defiant toward the doctor.	15 Whoever sins in the eyes of his Maker, let such a one come under the care of the doctor!
16 My son, shed tears for one who is dead with wailing and bitter lament; As is only proper, prepare the body, absent not yourself from his burial:	16 My child, shed tears over the dead, lament for the dead to show your sorrow, then bury the body withdue ceremony and do not fail to honour the grave.
17 Weeping bitterly, mourning fully, pay your tribute of sorrow, as he deserves,	17 Weep bitterly, beat your breast, observe the mourning the dead deserves for a day or two, to avoidcensorious comment, and then be comforted in your sorrow;
18 One or two days, to prevent gossip; then compose yourself after your grief,	18 for grief can lead to death, a grief-stricken heart loses al energy.
19 For grief can bring on an extremity and heartache destroy one's health.	19 In affliction sorrow persists, a life of grief is hard to bear.
20 Turn not your thoughts to him again; cease to recall him; think rather of the end.	20 Do not abandon your heart to grief, drive it away, bear your own end in mind.
21 Recall him not, for there is no hope of his return; it will not help him, but will do you harm.	21 Do not forget, there is no coming back; you cannot help the dead, and you will harm yourself.
22 Remember that his fate will also be yours; for him it was yesterday, for you today.	22 'Remember my doom, since it will be yours too; I yesterday, you today!'
23 With the departed dead, let memory fade; rally your courage, once the soul has left.	23 Once the dead are laid to rest, let their memory rest, do not fret for them, once their spirit departs.
24 The scribe's profession increases his wisdom; whoever is free from toil can become a wise man.	24 Leisure gives the scribe the chance to acquire wisdom; a man with few commitments can grow wise.
25 How can he become learned who guides the plow, who thrills in wielding the goad like a lance, Who guides the ox and urges on the bullock, and whose every concern is for cattle?	25 How can the ploughman become wise, whose sole ambition is to wield the goad, driving his oxen,engrossed in their work, his conversation limited to bul ocks,
26 His care is for plowing furrows, and he keeps a watch on the beasts in the stalls.	26 his thoughts absorbed in the furrows he traces and his long evenings spent in fattening heifers?
27 So with every engraver and designer who, laboring night and day, Fashions carved seals, and whose concern is to vary the pattern. His care is to produce a vivid impression, and he keeps watch till he finishes his design.	27 Similarly with al workmen and craftsmen, toiling day and night; those who engrave seals, for evertrying to think of a new design, concentrating on catching a good likeness and staying up late to get the workdone.
28 So with the smith standing near his anvil, forging crude iron. The heat from the fire sears his flesh, yet he toils away in the furnace heat. The clang of the hammer deafens his ears, His eyes are fixed on the tool he is shaping. His care is to finish his work, and he keeps watch till he perfects it in detail.	28 Similarly with the blacksmith sitting by his anvil; he considers what to do with the pig-iron, the breath ofthe fire scorches his skin, as he contends with the heat of the furnace; the noise of the hammer deafens him, hiseyes are fixed on the pattern; he concentrates on getting the job done wel and stays up late to apply thefinishing touches.
29 So with the potter sitting at his labor, revolving the wheel with his feet. He is always concerned for his products, and turns them out in quantity.	29 Similarly with the potter, sitting at his work, turning the wheel with his feet; constantly on the alert overhis work, each flick of the finger premeditated;
30 With his hands he molds the clay, and with his feet softens it. His care is for proper coloring, and he keeps watch on the fire of his kiln.	30 he pummels the clay with his arm, and with his feet he kneads it; he concentrates on applying theglaze right and stays up late to clean the kiln.
31 All these men are skilled with their hands, each one an expert at his own task;	31 Al these people rely on their hands and each is skilled at his own craft.
32 Without them no city could be lived in, and wherever they stay, they need not hunger.	32 A town could not be inhabited without them, there would be no settling, no travel ing.
33 They do not occupy the judge's bench, nor are they prominent in the assembly; They set forth no decisions or judgments, nor are they found among the rulers;	33 But you wil not find them in the parliament, they do not hold high rank in the assembly. They do not siton the judicial bench, and they do not meditate on the Law.
34 Yet they maintain God's ancient handiwork, and their concern is for exercise of their skill.	34 They are not remarkable for their culture or judgement, nor are they found frequenting thephilosophers. They sustain the structure of the world, and their prayer is concerned with their trade.