The scribe's profession increases his wisdom; whoever is free from toil can become a wise man. 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?
All these men are skilled with their hands, each one an expert at his own task; without them no city could be lived in, and wherever they stay, they need not hunger.
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; Yet they maintain God's ancient handiwork, and their concern is for exercise of their skill.
Sirach 38:24-25, 31-34
How different the man who devotes himself to the study of the law of the Most High! He explores the wisdom of the men of old and occupies himself with the prophecies; He treasures the discourses of famous men, and goes to the heart of involved sayings; He studies obscure parables, and is busied with the hidden meanings of the sages.
He is in attendance on the great, and has entrance to the ruler. He travels among the peoples of foreign lands to learn what is good and evil among men. His care is to seek the LORD, his Maker, to petition the Most High, to open his lips in prayer, to ask pardon for his sins. Then, if it pleases the LORD Almighty, he will be filled with the spirit of understanding; He will pour forth his words of wisdom and in prayer give thanks to the LORD.
Who will direct his knowledge and his counsel, as he meditates upon his mysteries. He will show the wisdom of what he has learned and glory in the law of the LORD'S covenant.
Many will praise his understanding; his fame can never be effaced; Unfading will be his memory, through all generations his name will live; Peoples will speak of his wisdom, and in assembly sing his praises. While he lives he is one out of a thousand, and when he dies his renown will not cease.
Sirach 39:1-11
All these men are skilled with their hands, each one an expert at his own task; without them no city could be lived in, and wherever they stay, they need not hunger.
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; Yet they maintain God's ancient handiwork, and their concern is for exercise of their skill.
Sirach 38:24-25, 31-34
How different the man who devotes himself to the study of the law of the Most High! He explores the wisdom of the men of old and occupies himself with the prophecies; He treasures the discourses of famous men, and goes to the heart of involved sayings; He studies obscure parables, and is busied with the hidden meanings of the sages.
He is in attendance on the great, and has entrance to the ruler. He travels among the peoples of foreign lands to learn what is good and evil among men. His care is to seek the LORD, his Maker, to petition the Most High, to open his lips in prayer, to ask pardon for his sins. Then, if it pleases the LORD Almighty, he will be filled with the spirit of understanding; He will pour forth his words of wisdom and in prayer give thanks to the LORD.
Who will direct his knowledge and his counsel, as he meditates upon his mysteries. He will show the wisdom of what he has learned and glory in the law of the LORD'S covenant.
Many will praise his understanding; his fame can never be effaced; Unfading will be his memory, through all generations his name will live; Peoples will speak of his wisdom, and in assembly sing his praises. While he lives he is one out of a thousand, and when he dies his renown will not cease.
Sirach 39:1-11