Sirach 38:1–15
1 jCultivatej the physician kin accordance with the need of himk,
HB For him also hath God ordained.
HB 2 It is from God that lthe physician getteth wisdoml,
And from the king he receiveth mgiftsm.
3 The skill of the physician lifteth up his head,
nAnd he may stand before noblesn.
4 God ohath createdo medicines out of the earth,
And let not a discerning man reject them.
5 Was not pthe waterp made sweet qby the woodq,
rThat He might make known to all men His powerr?
6 And He gave men discernment,
That they might glory sin His mighty workss.
7 tBy means of them the physician assuageth paint,
8 And likewise uthe apothecary prepareth a confectionu:
HB That His work may not cease,
vNor healthv wfrom the face of His earthw.
9 My son, xin sicknessx ybe not negligenty;
Pray unto God, for He can healz.
10 a[Turn] from iniquity, and [purify thy hands]a;
And from all btransgressionsb cleanse thy heart.
11 c d[Give a meal-offering with] a memoriald,
eAnd offer a fat sacrificee fto the utmost of thy meansf.
12 gAnd to the physician also give a placeg;
Nor should he be far awayh, for of him there is need.
13 For there is a time when successful help is in his power;
14 For he also maketh supplication to God,
iTo make his diagnosis successfuli,
And the treatment, jthat it may promote recoveryj.
15 He that sinneth before his Maker
kShall be delivered into the handsk of the physician.
(b) 38:16–23. On mourning for the dead