Ecclesiasticus, 38

1. Treat the doctor with the honour that is his due, in consideration of his services; for he too has been created by the Lord.

1. Every friend will say, "I too am a friend"; but some friends are friends only in name.

2. Healing itself comes from the Most High, like a gift received from a king.

2. Is it not a grief to the death when a companion and friend turns to enmity?

3. The doctor's learning keeps his head high, and the great regard him with awe.

3. O evil imagination, why were you formed to cover the land with deceit?

4. The Lord has brought forth medicinal herbs from the ground, and no one sensible will despise them.

4. Some companions rejoice in the happiness of a friend, but in time of trouble are against him.

5. Did not a piece of wood once sweeten the water, thus giving proof of its power?

5. Some companions help a friend for their stomach's sake, and in the face of battle take up the shield.

6. He has also given some people knowledge, so that they may draw credit from his mighty works.

6. Do not forget a friend in your heart, and be not unmindful of him in your wealth.

7. He uses these for healing and relieving pain; the druggist makes up a mixture from them.

7. Every counselor praises counsel, but some give counsel in their own interest.

8. Thus, there is no end to his activities; thanks to him, well-being exists throughout the world.

8. Be wary of a counselor, and learn first what is his interest -- for he will take thought for himself -- lest he cast the lot against you

9. My child, when you are ill, do not rebel, but pray to the Lord and he will heal you.

9. and tell you, "Your way is good," and then stand aloof to see what will happen to you.

10. Renounce your faults, keep your hands unsoiled, and cleanse your heart from all sin.

10. Do not consult the one who looks at you suspiciously; hide your counsel from those who are jealous of you.

11. Offer incense and a memorial of fine flour, make as rich an offering as you can afford.

11. Do not consult with a woman about her rival or with a coward about war, with a merchant about barter or with a buyer about selling, with a grudging man about gratitude or with a merciless man about kindness, with an idler about any work or with a man hired for a year about completing his work, with a lazy servant about a big task -- pay no attention to these in any matter of counsel.

12. Then let the doctor take over -- the Lord created him too -- do not let him leave you, for you need him.

12. But stay constantly with a godly man whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments, whose soul is in accord with your soul, and who will sorrow with you if you fail.

13. There are times when good health depends on doctors.

13. And establish the counsel of your own heart, for no one is more faithful to you than it is.

14. For they, in their turn, will pray the Lord to grant them the grace to relieve and to heal, and so prolong your life.

14. For a man's soul sometimes keeps him better informed than seven watchmen sitting high on a watchtower.

15. Whoever sins in the eyes of his Maker, let such a one come under the care of the doctor!

15. And besides all this pray to the Most High that he may direct your way in truth.

16. My child, shed tears over the dead, lament for the dead to show your sorrow, then bury the body with due ceremony and do not fail to honour the grave.

16. Reason is the beginning of every work, and counsel precedes every undertaking.

17. Weep bitterly, beat your breast, observe the mourning the dead deserves for a day or two, to avoid censorious comment, and then be comforted in your sorrow;

17. As a clue to changes of heart

18. for grief can lead to death, a grief-stricken heart loses all energy.

18. four turns of fortune appear, good and evil, life and death; and it is the tongue that continually rules them.

19. In affliction sorrow persists, a life of grief is hard to bear.

19. A man may be shrewd and the teacher of many, and yet be unprofitable to himself.

20. Do not abandon your heart to grief, drive it away, bear your own end in mind.

20. A man skilled in words may be hated; he will be destitute of all food,

21. Do not forget, there is no coming back; you cannot help the dead, and you will harm yourself.

21. for grace was not given him by the Lord, since he is lacking in all wisdom.

22. 'Remember my doom, since it will be yours too; I yesterday, you today!'

22. A man may be wise to his own advantage, and the fruits of his understanding may be trustworthy on his lips.

23. Once the dead are laid to rest, let their memory rest, do not fret for them, once their spirit departs.

23. A wise man will instruct his own people, and the fruits of his understanding will be trustworthy.

24. Leisure gives the scribe the chance to acquire wisdom; a man with few commitments can grow wise.

24. A wise man will have praise heaped upon him, and all who see him will call him happy.

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 bullocks,

25. The life of a man is numbered by days, but the days of Israel are without number.

26. his thoughts absorbed in the furrows he traces and his long evenings spent in fattening heifers?

26. He who is wise among his people will inherit confidence, and his name will live for ever.

27. Similarly with all workmen and craftsmen, toiling day and night; those who engrave seals, for ever trying to think of a new design, concentrating on catching a good likeness and staying up late to get the work done.

27. My son, test your soul while you live; see what is bad for it and do not give it that.

28. Similarly with the blacksmith sitting by his anvil; he considers what to do with the pig-iron, the breath of the fire scorches his skin, as he contends with the heat of the furnace; the noise of the hammer deafens him, his eyes are fixed on the pattern; he concentrates on getting the job done well and stays up late to apply the finishing touches.

28. For not everything is good for every one, and not every person enjoys everything.

29. Similarly with the potter, sitting at his work, turning the wheel with his feet; constantly on the alert over his work, each flick of the finger premeditated;

29. Do not have an insatiable appetite for any luxury, and do not give yourself up to food;

30. he pummels the clay with his arm, and with his feet he kneads it; he concentrates on applying the glaze right and stays up late to clean the kiln.

30. for overeating brings sickness, and gluttony leads to nausea.

31. All these people rely on their hands and each is skilled at his own craft.

31. Many have died of gluttony, but he who is careful to avoid it prolongs his life.

32. A town could not be inhabited without them, there would be no settling, no travelling.

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33. But you will not find them in the parliament, they do not hold high rank in the assembly. They do not sit on the judicial bench, and they do not meditate on the Law.

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34. They are not remarkable for their culture or judgement, nor are they found frequenting the philosophers. They sustain the structure of the world, and their prayer is concerned with their trade.

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