Expert: Daniel and Susan - 6/28/2005

Question
Last month I was lucky enough to visit the UK and I took the tour of Westminster Abby.

In one part of the Abby there's a stained glass window which has a quote from Ecclesiasticus 38:24, which reads:
"Of the craftsman it may be said " In the handy-work of their craft is their prayer."

Being an artist, I found that particular quote most memorable, and wrote it down. I'd like to use it as a dedication in my next book, but I can't find that passage credited anywhere in Ecclesiasticus.  

What I've found for Ecclesiasticus 38: 24 is:
"When the dead is at rest, let his remembrance rest, and comfort him in the departing of his spirit."

Is t possible that the quote preserved forever in stained glass is wrong?

If you could get back to me and confirm the that this quote is correct, or let me know the correct passage for this quote, I'd appreciate it.

Thank you in advance for your time.

Answer
This passage is from Ecclesiasticus (also referred to as Sirach) 38:34.  I was unable to find the translation that reads the way the quote you saw is written, and most translations don't even come close, such as the King James Bible rendering, "But they will maintain the state of the world, and all their desire is in the work of their craft."

The Revised Standard Version is it bit closer: "But they keep stable the fabric of the world, and their prayer is in the practice of their trade."

In translating from the original Hebrew (or from any other language) it is often possible to have different English wordings that still are all true to the original.  The wording used for that window may have even been specifically chosen for that purpose.

In any case, I hope this has been helpful.
-  Daniel