Sirach 38

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Treat the doctor with the honour that is his due, in consideration of his services; for he too has beencreated by the Lord.	1 Hold the physician in honor, for he is essential to you, and God it was who established his profession.
2 Healing itself comes from the Most High, like a gift received from a king.	2 From God the doctor has his wisdom, and the king provides for his sustenance.
3 The doctor's learning keeps his head high, and the great regard him with awe.	3 His knowledge makes the doctor distinguished, and gives him access to those in authority.
4 The Lord has brought forth medicinal herbs from the ground, and no one sensible wil despise them.	4 God makes the earth yield healing herbs which the prudent man should not neglect;
5 Did not a piece of wood once sweeten the water, thus giving proof of its power?	5 Was not the water sweetened by a twig that men might learn his power?
6 He has also given some people knowledge, so that they may draw credit from his mighty works.	6 He endows men with the knowledge to glory in his mighty works,
7 He uses these for healing and relieving pain; the druggist makes up a mixture from them.	7 Through which the doctor eases pain and the druggist prepares his medicines;
8 Thus, there is no end to his activities; thanks to him, well-being exists throughout the world.	8 Thus God's creative work continues without cease in its efficacy on the surface of the earth.
9 My child, when you are il , do not rebel, but pray to the Lord and he wil heal you.	9 My son, when you are ill, delay not, but pray to God, who will heal you:
10 Renounce your faults, keep your hands unsoiled, and cleanse your heart from al sin.	10 Flee wickedness; let your hands be just, cleanse your heart of every sin;
11 Offer incense and a memorial of fine flour, make as rich an offering as you can afford.	11 Offer your sweet-smelling oblation and petition, a rich offering according to your means.
12 Then let the doctor take over -- the Lord created him too -- do not let him leave you, for you need him.	12 Then give the doctor his place lest he leave; for you need him too.
13 There are times when good health depends on doctors.	13 There are times that give him an advantage,
14 For they, in their turn, wil pray the Lord to grant them the grace to relieve and to heal, and so prolongyour life.	14 and he too beseeches God That his diagnosis may be correct and his treatment bring about a cure.
15 Whoever sins in the eyes of his Maker, let such a one come under the care of the doctor!	15 He who is a sinner toward his Maker will be defiant toward the doctor.
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.	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:
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;	17 Weeping bitterly, mourning fully, pay your tribute of sorrow, as he deserves,
18 for grief can lead to death, a grief-stricken heart loses al energy.	18 One or two days, to prevent gossip; then compose yourself after your grief,
19 In affliction sorrow persists, a life of grief is hard to bear.	19 For grief can bring on an extremity and heartache destroy one's health.
20 Do not abandon your heart to grief, drive it away, bear your own end in mind.	20 Turn not your thoughts to him again; cease to recall him; think rather of the end.
21 Do not forget, there is no coming back; you cannot help the dead, and you will harm yourself.	21 Recall him not, for there is no hope of his return; it will not help him, but will do you harm.
22 'Remember my doom, since it will be yours too; I yesterday, you today!'	22 Remember that his fate will also be yours; for him it was yesterday, for you today.
23 Once the dead are laid to rest, let their memory rest, do not fret for them, once their spirit departs.	23 With the departed dead, let memory fade; rally your courage, once the soul has left.
24 Leisure gives the scribe the chance to acquire wisdom; a man with few commitments can grow wise.	24 The scribe's profession increases his wisdom; whoever is free from toil can become a wise man.
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,	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?
26 his thoughts absorbed in the furrows he traces and his long evenings spent in fattening heifers?	26 His care is for plowing furrows, and he keeps a watch on the beasts in the stalls.
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.	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.
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.	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.
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;	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.
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.	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.
31 Al these people rely on their hands and each is skilled at his own craft.	31 All these men are skilled with their hands, each one an expert at his own task;
32 A town could not be inhabited without them, there would be no settling, no travel ing.	32 Without them no city could be lived in, and wherever they stay, they need not hunger.
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.	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;
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.	34 Yet they maintain God's ancient handiwork, and their concern is for exercise of their skill.