Ecclesiasticus 16

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

1Desire not a multitude of unprofitable children, neither delight in ungodly sons.

Desire not a multitude of unprofitable children, neither delight in ungodly sons.

2Though they multiply, rejoice not in them, except the fear of the Lord be with them.

Though they multiply, rejoice not in them, except the fear of the indwelling LORD be with them.

3Trust not thou in their life, neither respect their multitude: for one that is just is better than a thousand; and better it is to die without children, than to have them that are ungodly.

Trust not in their life, neither respect their multitude: for one that is just is better than a thousand; and better it is to die without children, than to have them that are ungodly.

4For by one that hath understanding shall the city be replenished: but the kindred of the wicked shall speedily become desolate.

For by one that has understanding shall the city — the gathered state — be replenished: but the kindred of the wicked shall speedily become desolate.

5Many such things have I seen with mine eyes, and mine ear hath heard greater things than these.

Many such things have I seen with my eyes, and my ear has heard greater things than these.

6In the congregation of the ungodly shall a fire be kindled; and in a rebellious nation wrath is set on fire.

In the congregation of the ungodly shall a fire be kindled; and in a rebellious nation wrath is set on fire — consequence kindling within the gathered godless states themselves.

7He was not pacified toward the old giants, who fell away in the strength of their foolishness.

He was not pacified toward the old giants, who fell away in the strength of their foolishness — their sense-bound closedness.

8Neither spared he the place where Lot sojourned, but abhorred them for their pride.

Neither spared He the place where Lot — the veiled sense-consciousness — sojourned, but abhorred them for their pride.

9He pitied not the people of perdition, who were taken away in their sins:

He pitied not the people of perdition, who were taken away in their sins:

10Nor the six hundred thousand footmen, who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.

Nor the six hundred thousand footmen, who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts — the numbers and the event kept exact.

11And if there be one stiffnecked among the people, it is marvel if he escape unpunished: for mercy and wrath are with him; he is mighty to forgive, and to pour out displeasure.

And if there be one stiffnecked among the people, it is a marvel if he escape unpunished: for mercy and wrath are with Him; He is mighty to forgive, and to pour out displeasure.

12As his mercy is great, so is his correction also: he judgeth a man according to his works.

As His mercy is great, so is His correction also: He judges a man according to his works.

13The sinner shall not escape with his spoils: and the patience of the godly shall not be frustrate.

The sinner shall not escape with his spoils: and the patience of the godly shall not be frustrate.

14Make way for every work of mercy: for every man shall find according to his works.

Make way for every work of mercy: for every man shall find according to his works.

15The Lord hardened Pharaoh, that he should not know him, that his powerful works might be known to the world.

The indwelling LORD hardened Pharaoh — the enthroned sense-mind of the material world — that he should not know Him, that His powerful works might be known to the world: the sense-mind given over to its own hardness, that the deliverance might be seen.

16His mercy is manifest to every creature; and he hath separated his light from the darkness with an adamant.

His mercy is manifest to every creature; and He has separated His light from the darkness with an adamant — understanding from ignorance, by a division that does not bend.

17Say not thou, I will hide myself from the Lord: shall any remember me from above? I shall not be remembered among so many people: for what is my soul among such an infinite number of creatures?

Say not, I will hide myself from the indwelling LORD: shall any remember me from above? I shall not be remembered among so many people: for what is my soul among such an infinite number of creatures?

18Behold, the heaven, and the heaven of heavens, the deep, and the earth, and all that therein is, shall be moved when he shall visit.

Behold, the heaven — the inner realm — and the heaven of heavens, the deep, and the earth, and all that therein is, shall be moved when He shall visit — when the order confronts the state.

19The mountains also and foundations of the earth be shaken with trembling, when the Lord looketh upon them.

The mountains also — the exalted states — and foundations of the earth shall be shaken with trembling, when the indwelling LORD looks upon them.

20No heart can think upon these things worthily: and who is able to conceive his ways?

No heart can think upon these things worthily: and who is able to conceive His ways?

21It is a tempest which no man can see: for the most part of his works are hid.

It is a tempest which no man can see: for the most part of His works are hid.

22Who can declare the works of his justice? or who can endure them? for his covenant is afar off, and the trial of all things is in the end.

Who can declare the works of His justice? Or who can endure them? For His covenant — His law of relationship with the soul — is afar off, and the trial of all things is in the end.

23He that wanteth understanding will think upon vain things: and a foolish man erring imagineth follies.

He that wants understanding will think upon vain things: and a foolish man erring imagines follies.

24My son, hearken unto me, and learn knowledge, and mark my words with thy heart.

My son, hearken to me, and learn knowledge, and mark my words with your heart.

25I will shew forth doctrine in weight, and declare his knowledge exactly.

I will show forth doctrine in weight, and declare His knowledge exactly.

26The works of the Lord are done in judgment from the beginning: and from the time he made them he disposed the parts thereof.

The works of the indwelling LORD are done in judgment from the beginning: and from the time He made them He disposed the parts thereof.

27He garnished his works for ever, and in his hand are the chief of them unto all generations: they neither labour, nor are weary, nor cease from their works.

He garnished His works for ever, and in His hand are the chief of them to all generations: they neither labour, nor are weary, nor cease from their works.

28None of them hindereth another, and they shall never disobey his word.

None of them hinders another, and they shall never disobey His word.

29After this the Lord looked upon the earth, and filled it with his blessings.

After this the indwelling LORD looked upon the earth — the outer realm — and filled it with His blessings, His divine increase.

30With all manner of living things hath he covered the face thereof; and they shall return into it again.

With all manner of living things has He covered the face thereof; and they shall return into it again.

Companion volume to The Why Bible — the King James Apocrypha, rendered in its spiritual meanings. First final edition, October 2026.