Ecclesiasticus 38

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 omnis medela, 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 Ad agnitionem hominum virtus illorum : et dedit hominibus scientiam Altissimus, honorari 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, et unctiones conficiet sanitatis : et non consummabuntur opera ejus.	7 Through which the doctor eases pain and the druggist prepares his medicines;
8 Pax enim Dei super faciem terræ.	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 delicto 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, 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 ejus sunt necessaria.	12 Then give the doctor his place lest he leave; for you need him too.
13 Est enim tempus quando in manus illorum incurras :	13 There are times that give him an advantage,
14 ipsi vero Dominum deprecabuntur, ut dirigat requiem eorum, et sanitatem, propter conversationem illorum.	14 and he too beseeches God That his diagnosis may be correct and his treatment bring about a cure.
15 Qui delinquit in conspectu ejus 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 plorare : et secundum judicium 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 Propter delaturam autem amare fer luctum illius uno die, et consolare propter tristitiam :	17 Weeping bitterly, mourning fully, pay your tribute of sorrow, as he deserves,
18 et fac luctum secundum meritum ejus uno die, vel duobus, propter detractionem :	18 One or two days, to prevent gossip; then compose yourself after your grief,
19 a tristitia enim festinat mors, et cooperit virtutem, et tristitia cordis flectit cervicem.	19 For grief can bring on an extremity and heartache destroy one's health.
20 In abductione permanet tristitia, et substantia inopis secundum cor ejus.	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 Noli oblivisci, 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 judicii mei : 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 ejus, et consolare illum in exitu spiritus sui.	24 The scribe's profession increases his wisdom; whoever is free from toil can become a wise man.
25 Sapientia scribæ in tempore vacuitatis, et qui minoratur actu sapientiam percipiet, 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 jaculo, stimulo boves agitat, et conversatur in operibus eorum, et enarratio ejus 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 ejus 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 ejus variat picturam : cor suum dabit in similitudinem picturæ, et vigilia sua perficiet 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 juxta incudem, et considerans opus ferri : vapor ignis uret carnes ejus, 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 innovat aurem ejus, et contra similitudinem vasis oculus ejus.	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 ornabit 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 ejus.	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 pedes 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 mundabit 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 ædificatur civitas,
37 et non inhabitabunt, nec inambulabunt, et in ecclesiam non transilient.
38 Super sellam judicis non sedebunt, et testamentum judicii non intelligent, neque palam facient disciplinam et judicium, et in parabolis non invenientur :
39 sed creaturam ævi confirmabunt : et deprecatio illorum in operatione artis, accomodantes animam suam, et conquirentes in lege Altissimi.