Sirach 38:28–34

²⁸So too is the smith sitting by the anvil and considering the unwrought iron. The smoke of the fire will waste his flesh. He toils in the heat of the furnace. The noise of the hammer deafens his ear. His eyes are upon the pattern of the object. He will set his heart upon perfecting his works. He will be careful to adorn them perfectly.↗

²⁹So is the potter sitting at his work and turning the wheel around with his feet, who is always anxiously set at his work. He produces his handiwork in quantity.↗

³⁰He 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. He will be careful to clean the kiln.↗

³¹All these put their trust in their hands. Each becomes skillful in his own work.↗

³²Without these no city would be inhabited. Men wouldn’t reside as foreigners or walk up and down there.↗

³³They won’t be sought for in the council of the people. They won’t mount on high in the assembly. They won’t sit on the seat of the judge. They won’t understand the covenant of judgment. Neither will they declare instruction and judgment. They won’t be found where parables are.↗

³⁴But they will maintain the fabric of the age. Their prayer is in the handiwork of their craft.↗