Siracide 38

NOVA VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Honora medicum propter necessitatem; etenim illum creavit Altissimus.	1 Hold the physician in honor, for he is essential to you, and God it was who established his profession.
2 A Deo est enim illi sapientia, et a rege accipiet donationem.	2 From God the doctor has his wisdom, and the king provides for his sustenance.
3 Disciplina medici exaltabit caput illius, et in conspectu magnatorum collaudabitur.	3 His knowledge makes the doctor distinguished, and gives him access to those in authority.
4 Altissimus creavit de terra medicamenta, et vir prudens non abhorrebit illa.	4 God makes the earth yield healing herbs which the prudent man should not neglect;
5 Nonne a ligno indulcata est aqua amara,	5 Was not the water sweetened by a twig that men might learn his power?
6 ut agnoscerent homines virtutem illius? Et dedit hominibus scientiam Altissimus, ut honoraretur in mirabilibus suis.	6 He endows men with the knowledge to glory in his mighty works,
7 In his curans mitigabit dolorem, et unguentarius faciet pigmenta suavitatis, ut non consumantur opera eius:	7 Through which the doctor eases pain and the druggist prepares his medicines;
8 et salus super faciem terrae.	8 Thus God's creative work continues without cease in its efficacy on the surface of the earth.
9 Fili, in tua infirmitate ne despicias teipsum, sed ora Dominum, et ipse curabit te.	9 My son, when you are ill, delay not, but pray to God, who will heal you:
10 Averte a delicto et dirige manus et ab omni peccato munda cor tuum;	10 Flee wickedness; let your hands be just, cleanse your heart of every sin;
11 da suavitatem et memoriam similaginis et impingua oblationem pro opibus tuis. Et da locum medico,	11 Offer your sweet-smelling oblation and petition, a rich offering according to your means.
12 etenim illum Dominus creavit; et non discedat a te, quia opera eius sunt necessaria.	12 Then give the doctor his place lest he leave; for you need him too.
13 Est enim tempus, quando per manus illorum est solacium.	13 There are times that give him an advantage,
14 Ipsi vero Dominum deprecabuntur, ut dirigat ad rectam cognitionem et prosperet curationem.	14 and he too beseeches God That his diagnosis may be correct and his treatment bring about a cure.
15 Qui delinquit in conspectu eius, qui fecit eum, incidet in manus medici.	15 He who is a sinner toward his Maker will be defiant toward the doctor.
16 Fili, in mortuum produc lacrimas et, quasi dira passus, incipe lamentationem et secundum iudicium contege corpus illius et non despicias sepulturam illius.	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 Amare fer fletum et perfice lamentum	17 Weeping bitterly, mourning fully, pay your tribute of sorrow, as he deserves,
18 et fac luctum secundum meritum eius, uno die vel duobus propter detractionem, et consolare propter tristitiam.	18 One or two days, to prevent gossip; then compose yourself after your grief,
19 A tristitia enim festinat mors, et tristitia cordis flectit virtutem.	19 For grief can bring on an extremity and heartache destroy one's health.
20 In abductione permanet tristitia, et vita inopis maledictio cordis.	20 Turn not your thoughts to him again; cease to recall him; think rather of the end.
21 Ne dederis in tristitia cor tuum, sed repelle eam a te et memento novissimorum.	21 Recall him not, for there is no hope of his return; it will not help him, but will do you harm.
22 Ne ultra memineris: neque enim est conversio; et huic nihil proderis et teipsum pessimabis.	22 Remember that his fate will also be yours; for him it was yesterday, for you today.
23 Memor esto iudicii eius, sic enim erit et tuum: mihi heri, et tibi hodie.	23 With the departed dead, let memory fade; rally your courage, once the soul has left.
24 In requie mortui requiescere fac memoriam eius et consolare in illo in exitu spiritus sui.	24 The scribe's profession increases his wisdom; whoever is free from toil can become a wise man.
25 Sapientia scribae in opportunitate vacationis; et, qui minoratur operatione, ipse sapientia replebitur. Qua sapientia replebitur,	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 qui tenet aratrum et qui gloriatur in iaculo stimuli? Boves agitat et conversatur in operibus eorum, et enarratio eius in filiis taurorum.	26 His care is for plowing furrows, and he keeps a watch on the beasts in the stalls.
27 Cor suum dabit ad versandos sulcos, et vigilia eius in sagina vaccarum.	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 Sic omnis faber et architectus, qui noctem tamquam diem transigit, qui sculpit signacula sculptilia, et assiduitas eius variare picturam; cor suum dabit in similitudinem picturae, et vigilia sua perficere opus.	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 Sic faber ferrarius sedens iuxta incudem et considerans opus ferri; vapor ignis uret carnes eius, et in calore fornacis concertatur.	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 Vox mallei exsurdat aurem eius, et contra similitudinem vasis oculus eius.	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 Cor suum dabit in consummationem operum et vigilia sua ornare in perfectionem.	31 All these men are skilled with their hands, each one an expert at his own task;
32 Sic figulus sedens ad opus suum, convertens pedibus suis rotam, qui in sollicitudine positus est semper propter opus suum, et in numero est omnis operatio eius;	32 Without them no city could be lived in, and wherever they stay, they need not hunger.
33 in brachio suo formabit lutum et ante canos suos curvabit virtutem suam:	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 cor suum dabit, ut consummet linitionem, et vigilia sua mundare fornacem.	34 Yet they maintain God's ancient handiwork, and their concern is for exercise of their skill.
35 Omnes hi in manibus suis speraverunt, et unusquisque in arte sua sapiens est.
36 Sine his omnibus non aedificabitur civitas,
37 et non inhabitabunt nec inambulabunt. Verumtamen in consilium populi non requirentur et in ecclesiam non transilient;
38 super sellam iudicis non sedebunt et decretum iudicii non intellegent neque palam facient disciplinam et iudicium et in parabolis non invenientur;
39 sed creaturam laboris confirmabunt, et sollicitudo illorum in operatione artis.