Ecclesiasticus 10
How to read these pages: the text itself comes first, verse by verse, in the volume's own translation. Beneath each verse stands its Meaning — a rendering of what the passage's terms name in the inner life, drawn from the correspondences the text itself uses. The text is never altered; the meaning is offered, not imposed.
King James Version
1A wise judge will instruct his people; and the government of a prudent man is well ordered.
A wise judge will instruct his people; and the government of a prudent man is well ordered.
2As the judge of the people is himself, so are his officers; and what manner of man the ruler of the city is, such are all they that dwell therein.
As the judge of the people is himself, so are his officers; and what manner of man the ruler of the city is, such are all they that dwell therein — the ruling state sets the tone of every faculty under it.
3An unwise king destroyeth his people; but through the prudence of them which are in authority the city shall be inhabited.
An unwise king — an unwise ruling state — destroys his people; but through the prudence of them in authority the city shall be inhabited.
4The power of the earth is in the hand of the Lord, and in due time he will set over it one that is profitable.
The power of the earth — of the outer realm — is in the hand of the indwelling LORD, and in due time He will set over it one that is profitable.
5In the hand of God is the prosperity of man: and upon the person of the scribe shall he lay his honour.
In the hand of the Source is the prosperity of man: and upon the person of the scribe — the copying faculty, custodian of the letter — shall He lay His honour.
6Bear not hatred to thy neighbour for every wrong; and do nothing at all by injurious practices.
Bear not hatred to your neighbour for every wrong; and do nothing at all by injurious practices.
7Pride is hateful before God and man: and by both doth one commit iniquity.
Pride is hateful before the Source and man: and by both does one commit iniquity.
8Because of unrighteous dealings, injuries, and riches got by deceit, the kingdom is translated from one people to another.
Because of unrighteous dealings, injuries, and riches got by deceit, the kingdom — the realm a ruling state governs — is translated from one people to another.
9Why is earth and ashes proud? There is not a more wicked thing than a covetous man: for such an one setteth his own soul to sale; because while he liveth he casteth away his bowels.
Why is earth and ashes proud? There is not a more wicked thing than a covetous man: for such a one sets his own soul to sale; because while he lives he casts away his bowels — his inmost affections.
10The physician cutteth off a long disease; and he that is to day a king to morrow shall die.
The physician — the healing faculty — cuts off a long disease; and he that is today a king tomorrow shall die.
11For when a man is dead, he shall inherit creeping things, beasts, and worms.
For when a man is dead, he shall inherit creeping things, beasts, and worms — the lowly sense-thoughts and the untamed nature that outlast the form.
12The beginning of pride is when one departeth from God, and his heart is turned away from his Maker.
The beginning of pride is when one departs from the Source, and his heart is turned away from his Maker.
13For pride is the beginning of sin, and he that hath it shall pour out abomination: and therefore the Lord brought upon them strange calamities, and overthrew them utterly.
For pride is the beginning of sin — of error — and he that has it shall pour out abomination: and therefore the indwelling LORD brought upon them strange calamities, and overthrew them utterly — the state given over to the disorder it chose.
14The Lord hath cast down the thrones of proud princes, and set up the meek in their stead.
The LORD has cast down the thrones of proud princes — the seats of ruling authority — and set up the meek in their stead.
15The Lord hath plucked up the roots of the proud nations, and planted the lowly in their place.
The LORD has plucked up the roots of the proud nations, and planted the lowly in their place.
16The Lord overthrew countries of the heathen, and destroyed them to the foundations of the earth.
The LORD overthrew the countries of the heathen, and destroyed them to the foundations of the earth.
17He took some of them away, and destroyed them, and hath made their memorial to cease from the earth.
He took some of them away, and destroyed them, and has made their memorial to cease from the earth.
18Pride was not made for men, nor furious anger for them that are born of a woman.
Pride was not made for men, nor furious anger for them that are born of a woman.
19They that fear the Lord are a sure seed, and they that love him an honourable plant: they that regard not the law are a dishonourable seed; they that transgress the commandments are a deceivable seed.
They that fear the indwelling LORD are a sure seed, and they that love Him an honourable plant: they that regard not the law are a dishonourable seed; they that transgress the commandments are a deceivable seed — word-ideas unfolding, each after its kind.
20Among brethren he that is chief is honorable; so are they that fear the Lord in his eyes.
Among brethren he that is chief is honourable; so are they that fear the LORD in His eyes.
21The fear of the Lord goeth before the obtaining of authority: but roughness and pride is the losing thereof.
The fear of the LORD goes before the obtaining of authority: but roughness and pride are the losing of it.
22Whether he be rich, noble, or poor, their glory is the fear of the Lord.
Whether he be rich, noble, or poor, their glory is the fear of the indwelling LORD.
23It is not meet to despise the poor man that hath understanding; neither is it convenient to magnify a sinful man.
It is not meet to despise the poor man that has understanding; neither is it convenient to magnify a sinful man.
24Great men, and judges, and potentates, shall be honoured; yet is there none of them greater than he that feareth the Lord.
Great men, and judges, and potentates, shall be honoured; yet is there none of them greater than he that fears the indwelling LORD.
25Unto the servant that is wise shall they that are free do service: and he that hath knowledge will not grudge when he is reformed.
To the servant that is wise shall they that are free do service: and he that has knowledge will not grudge when he is reformed.
26Be not overwise in doing thy business; and boast not thyself in the time of thy distress.
Be not overwise in doing your business; and boast not yourself in the time of your distress.
27Better is he that laboureth, and aboundeth in all things, than he that boasteth himself, and wanteth bread.
Better is he that labours, and abounds in all things, than he that boasts himself, and wants bread — truth-substance, that which truly feeds a state.
28My son, glorify thy soul in meekness, and give it honour according to the dignity thereof.
My son, glorify your soul in meekness, and give it honour according to the dignity thereof.
29Who will justify him that sinneth against his own soul? and who will honour him that dishonoureth his own life?
Who will justify him that sins against his own soul? And who will honour him that dishonours his own life?
30The poor man is honoured for his skill, and the rich man is honoured for his riches.
The poor man is honoured for his skill, and the rich man is honoured for his riches.
31He that is honoured in poverty, how much more in riches? and he that is dishonourable in riches, how much more in poverty?
He that is honoured in poverty, how much more in riches? And he that is dishonourable in riches, how much more in poverty?
Companion volume to The Why Bible — the King James Apocrypha, rendered in its spiritual meanings. First final edition, October 2026.