Sirach 38:1-15

Good News Translation

Sickness and Medicine

38 Give doctors the honor they deserve, for the Lord gave them their work to do.^{[a] 2} Their skill came from the Most High, and kings reward them for it. ³ Their knowledge gives them a position of importance, and powerful people hold them in high regard.

⁴ The Lord created medicines from the earth, and a sensible person will not hesitate to use them. ^5 (A)Didn't a tree once make bitter water fit to drink, so that the Lord's power^[b] might be known? ⁶ He gave medical knowledge to human beings, so that we would praise him for the miracles he performs. ^7-8 The druggist mixes these medicines, and the doctor will use them to cure diseases and ease pain. There is no end to the activities of the Lord, who gives health to the people of the world.

⁹ My child, when you get sick, don't ignore it. Pray to the Lord, and he will make you well. ¹⁰ Confess all your sins and determine that in the future you will live a righteous life. ¹¹ Offer incense and a grain offering, as fine as you can afford.^{[c] 12} Then call the doctor—for the Lord created him—and keep him at your side; you need him. ¹³ There are times when you have to depend on his skill. ¹⁴ The doctor's prayer is that the Lord will make him able to ease his patients' pain and make them well again. ¹⁵ As for the person who sins against his Creator, he deserves to be sick.