Old Testament

New Testament

Sirach 38:27-33 World English Bible (WEB)

27. So is every artificer and workmaster, That passes his time by night as by day; They that cut gravings of signets, And his diligence is to make great variety; He will set his heart to preserve likeness in his portraiture, And will be wakeful to finish his work.

28. So is the smith sitting by the anvil, And considering the unwrought iron: The vapor of the fire will waste his flesh; And in the heat of the furnace will he wrestle with his work: The noise of the hammer will be ever in his ear, And his eyes are upon the pattern of the vessel; He will set his heart upon perfecting his works, And And he will be wakeful to adorn them perfectly.

29. So is the potter sitting at his work, And turning the wheel about with his feet, Who is always anxiously set at his work, And all his handywork is by number;

30. He will fashion the clay with his arm, And will bend its strength in front of his feet; He will apply his heart to finish the glazing; And he will be wakeful to make clean the furnace.

31. All these put their trust in their hands; And each becomes wise in his own work.

32. Without these shall not a city be inhabited, And men shall not sojourn nor walk up and down therein.

33. They shall not be sought for in the council of the people, And in the assembly they shall not mount on high; They shall not sit on the seat of the judge, And they shall not understand the covenant of judgement: Neither shall they declare instruction and judgement; And where parables are they shall not be found.

Read complete chapter Sirach 38