1Honor a physician before you need him, for God has also allotted him a portion.
2From God a physician gets his wisdom, and from a king he receives gifts.
3A physician’s knowledge will lift his head high, and he will stand before nobles.
4God brings medicines forth from the earth, and a discerning man will not despise them.
5Was it not by a tree that the water was made sweet, to make his power known to all mankind?
6And he gave mankind understanding, to glory in his mighty works.
7With them a physician eases pain, and a pharmacist makes a compound.
8So that his work may not cease, nor sound judgment from the sons of men.
9My son, in sickness do not be negligent; pray to God, for he is the one who heals.
10Turn from iniquity and from showing partiality, and cleanse your heart from all transgressions.
11Offer a fragrant memorial offering, and a rich meal offering according to your means.
12And also give a place to the physician; do not let him leave, for you need him too.
13For there is a time when success is in his hand, for he too petitions God.
14To grant him a successful diagnosis, and healing for the sake of preserving life.
15He who sins before his Maker will be defiant before a physician.
16My son, over the dead let your tears flow; be bitter and raise a lament.
17Make your wailing bitter and your lament fervent, and observe mourning as befits him for a day or two on account of tears; then be comforted, on account of iniquity.
18For from grief comes disaster, and a sorrowful heart saps one’s strength.
19In calamity, grief persists, and the life of the poor is a curse on the heart.
20Do not give your heart to him any longer; put away his memory and remember your own end.
21Do not remember him, for he has no hope; what good will it do you? You will only harm yourself.
22Remember his fate, for it is also your fate: yesterday for him, and today for you.
23When the dead is at rest, let his memory rest; and be comforted for him when his spirit departs.
24A scribe’s wisdom multiplies wisdom, and he who has little business can become wise.
25How can he become wise who holds the goad and glories in brandishing the whip?
26He sets his heart on plowing furrows, and his diligence is on finishing the fattening pen.
27So too the craftsman and the artisan, who toils night and day.
28So the smith sits by the anvil, considering the unwrought iron; the vapor of the fire sears his flesh, and he contends with the heat of the furnace. The sound of the hammer deafens his ear, and his eyes are on the pattern of the vessel. He sets his heart on finishing his works, and his sleepless care is to adorn them to perfection.
29So the potter sits at his work, turning the wheel with his feet; he is always anxious about his work, and all his labor is by number.
30He molds the clay with his arm, and with his feet he applies his strength. He sets his heart on finishing the glazing, and his sleepless care is to clean the furnace.
31All these trust in their hands, and each is wise in his own work.
32Without them a city cannot be inhabited, and people will not live in it or walk about.
33And in the assembly they will not be prominent, and they will not understand the covenant of judgment. They will not sit on the judge’s seat, nor will they make clear righteousness and judgment, and they will not be found among parables.
34But they will maintain the fabric of the world, and their prayer is in the practice of their trade.
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