Sirach 38:24-26

Good News Translation

Scholarship and Other Occupations

²⁴ Scholars must have time to study if they are going to be wise; they must be relieved of other responsibilities. ²⁵ How can a farm hand gain knowledge, when his only ambition is to drive the oxen and make them work, when all he knows to talk about is livestock? ²⁶ He takes great pains to plow a straight furrow and will work far into the night to feed the animals.