24 The wisdom of the scribe comes by the opportunity of leisure.

He who has little business can become wise.

25 How could he become wise who holds the plough,

who glories in the shaft of the goad,

who drives oxen and is occupied in their labours,

and who mostly talks about bulls?

26 He will set his heart upon turning his furrows.

His lack of sleep is to give his heifers their fodder.

27 So 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.

28 So 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.

29 So 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.

30 He 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.

31 All these put their trust in their hands.

Each becomes skilful in his own work.

32 Without these no city would be inhabited.

Men wouldn’t reside as foreigners or walk up and down there.

33 They 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 judgement.

Neither will they declare instruction and judgement.

They won’t be found where parables are.

34 But they will maintain the fabric of the age.

Their prayer is in the handiwork of their craft.