Sirach 38:19–27
19In calamity, sorrow also remains. A poor man’s life is grievous to the heart.↗
20Don’t give your heart to sorrow. Put it away, remembering the end.↗
21Don’t forget it, for there is no returning again. You do him no good, and you would harm yourself.↗
22Remember his end, for so also will yours be: yesterday for him, and today for you.↗
23When the dead is at rest, let his remembrance rest. Be comforted for him when his spirit departs from him.↗
24The wisdom of the scribe comes by the opportunity of leisure. He who has little business can become wise.↗
25How could he become wise who holds the plow, who glories in the shaft of the goad, who drives oxen and is occupied in their labors, and who mostly talks about bulls?↗
26He will set his heart upon turning his furrows. His lack of sleep is to give his heifers their fodder.↗
27So is every craftsman and master artisan who passes his time by night as by day, those who cut engravings of signets. His diligence is to make great variety. He sets his heart to preserve likeness in his portraiture, and is careful to finish his work.↗
Source: World English Bible (Catholic), public domain. Text is taken directly from the source. Headings are editorial, not biblical verses.
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