Sirach 38:26-28

Good News Translation

²⁶ He takes great pains to plow a straight furrow and will work far into the night to feed the animals.

²⁷ It is the same with the artist and the craftsman, who work night and day engraving precious stones, carefully working out new designs. They take great pains to produce a lifelike image, and will work far into the night to finish the work.

²⁸ It is the same with the blacksmith at his anvil, planning what he will make from a piece of iron. The heat from the fire sears his skin as he sweats away at the forge. The clanging of the hammer deafens him^[a] as he carefully watches the object he is working take shape. He takes great pains to complete his task, and will work far into the night to bring it to perfection.