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The artisan’s necessary labor and the learned scribe’s vocation
This wisdom passage contrasts necessary manual labour with the scribe’s work of study and prayer. It honours both, while explaining why the scribe has a different task and public role.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
Sirach 38:24–39:11 is wisdom teaching in the Catholic additional books. The passage first describes farmers and artisans whose work fills their time and supports city life. It then turns to the scribe, whose leisure is used for the law, prayer, understanding, and instruction.
Sirach 38:24–39:11Main takeaway
This passage values skilled work that sustains life and distinguishes the scribe’s vocation as study, prayer, and teaching under the Lord’s will.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Leisure and the scribeThe opening claim is direct: the scribe’s wisdom comes through leisure. The farmer’s attention is on ploughing, oxen, furrows, and fodder.
Explanation
The opening claim is direct: the scribe’s wisdom comes through leisure. The farmer’s attention is on ploughing, oxen, furrows, and fodder. The contrast is about time and focus. Work that must be done leaves little room for the kind of reflection this passage links with scribal wisdom.
02Artisans and their exacting labourEngravers, smiths, and potters are shown as diligent and absorbed in their craft. They work carefully, using heart, eyes, strength, and skill to finish what they make.
Explanation
Engravers, smiths, and potters are shown as diligent and absorbed in their craft. They work carefully, using heart, eyes, strength, and skill to finish what they make. Their labour is not dismissed. The passage says each is skilful in his own work, and without such workers no city would be inhabited.
03Needed, but not in the councilSirach states plainly that these artisans will not be sought in the people’s council, sit on the judge’s seat, understand the covenant of judgment, or be found where parables are.
Explanation
Sirach states plainly that these artisans will not be sought in the people’s council, sit on the judge’s seat, understand the covenant of judgment, or be found where parables are. Even so, they maintain the fabric of the age, and their prayer is in the handiwork of their craft.
04The scribe’s study, prayer, and reputationBy contrast, the scribe meditates on the law, sayings, proverbs, and parables, and rises to pray for pardon.
Explanation
By contrast, the scribe meditates on the law, sayings, proverbs, and parables, and rises to pray for pardon. If the great Lord wills, he is filled with understanding and teaches what he has learned. Many commend his understanding, and if he continues, his name endures.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why does the passage say the scribe can become wise?
Start with the line about leisure, then compare it with the farmer whose time is taken up by necessary labour.
02What strong value does Sirach place on artisans, even while giving them a different role?
Look for what the city owes to them and how their craft is described at the end of chapter 38.
03How does the passage connect the scribe’s learning with prayer and the Lord’s will?
Notice that the scribe studies and prays, but understanding is given only if the great Lord wills.
Read the Bible passages
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 38:24–34
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.
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.
Sirach 39:1–11
1Not so he who has applied his soul and meditates in the law of the Most High. He will seek out the wisdom of all the ancients and will be occupied with prophecies.
2He will keep the sayings of the men of renown and will enter in amidst the subtleties of parables.
3He will seek out the hidden meaning of proverbs and be conversant in the dark sayings of parables.
4He will serve among great men and appear before him who rules. He will travel through the land of foreign nations, for he has learned what is good and evil among men.
5He will apply his heart to return early to the Lord who made him, and will make supplication before the Most High, and will open his mouth in prayer, and will ask for pardon for his sins.
6If the great Lord wills, he will be filled with the spirit of understanding; he will pour forth the words of his wisdom and in prayer give thanks to the Lord.
7He will direct his counsel and knowledge, and he will meditate in his secrets.
8He will show the instruction which he has been taught and will glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord.
9Many will commend his understanding. So long as the world endures, it won’t be blotted out. His memory won’t depart. His name will live from generation to generation.
10Nations will declare his wisdom. The congregation will proclaim his praise.
11If he continues, he will leave a greater name than a thousand. If he finally rests, it is enough for him.