Happy is the man that meditateth in wisdom, And that hath respect unto understanding; That setteth his heart upon her ways, And considereth her paths; Going out after her in search of her, And spying all her entries; That prieth through her window, And hearkeneth at her doors; That encampeth about her house, And fixeth his pegs into her wall, And he pitcheth his tent by her side, And dwelleth in a goodly dwelling; And he buildeth his nest on her bough, And lodgeth among her branches; And he sheltereth in her shade from the heat, And dwelleth in her habitations. For he that feareth the Lord doeth this, And he that taketh hold of the Law attaineth unto her. And she will meet him as a mother, And receive him as a wife of youth. And she will feed him with the bread of understanding, And give him water of knowledge to drink. And he is stayed upon her, and shall not be moved; And in her he trusteth, and shall not be confounded. And she will exalt him above his neighbor, And in the midst of the congregation will she open his mouth. He shall find joy and gladness, And she will make him inherit an everlasting name. Men of vanity shall not attain unto her, And men of arrogance shall not see her. Far from scorners is she, And liars remember her not. 2. The Usefulness of the Physician[2] Honor a physician according to thy need of him— Him also hath God apportioned. From God a physician getteth wisdom, And from a king he receiveth gifts. The skill of a physician lifteth up his head, And he may stand before nobles. God bringeth out medicines from the earth, And let a prudent man not despise them. Was not water made sweet by wood, To make every man know His power? And He gave men understanding, That they might glory in His mighty works. By means of them doth a physician assuage pain, And likewise the apothecary maketh a confection: That His work may not cease, Nor health from the sons of men. My son, in sickness be not negligent; Pray unto God, for He healeth. Flee from iniquity, and from respect of persons, And from all transgressions cleanse thy heart. Offer a sweet savor as a memorial, And prepare a fat offering according to thy substance, And also to the physician give a place, And he shall not be removed, for there is need of him likewise. For there is a time when in his power is good success, For he, too, maketh supplication to God, That He should prosper to him the treatment, And the healing, for the sake of his living. He that sinneth against his Maker Behaveth himself proudly before a physician.