Ecclesiasticus 20

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

1There is a reproof that is not comely: again, some man holdeth his tongue, and he is wise.

There is a reproof that is not comely: again, some man holds his tongue, and he is wise.

2It is much better to reprove, than to be angry secretly: and he that confesseth his fault shall be preserved from hurt.

It is much better to reprove, than to be angry secretly: and he that confesses his fault shall be preserved from hurt.

3How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so shalt thou escape wilful sin.

How good it is, when you are reproved, to show repentance — the turning of the mind! for so shall you escape wilful error.

4As is the lust of an eunuch to deflower a virgin; so is he that executeth judgment with violence.

As is the lust of an eunuch — the faculty cut off from begetting — to deflower a virgin; so is he that executes judgment with violence.

5There is one that keepeth silence, and is found wise: and another by much babbling becometh hateful.

There is one that keeps silence, and is found wise: and another by much babbling becomes hateful.

6Some man holdeth his tongue, because he hath not to answer: and some keepeth silence, knowing his time.

Some man holds his tongue, because he has nothing to answer: and some keeps silence, knowing his time.

7A wise man will hold his tongue till he see opportunity: but a babbler and a fool will regard no time.

A wise man will hold his tongue till he sees opportunity: but a babbler and a fool will regard no time.

8He that useth many words shall be abhorred; and he that taketh to himself authority therein shall be hated.

He that uses many words shall be abhorred; and he that takes authority to himself therein shall be hated.

9There is a sinner that hath good success in evil things; and there is a gain that turneth to loss.

There is an error-bound state that has good success in evil things; and there is a gain that turns to loss.

10There is a gift that shall not profit thee; and there is a gift whose recompence is double.

There is a gift that shall not profit you; and there is a gift whose recompense is double.

11There is an abasement because of glory; and there is that lifteth up his head from a low estate.

There is an abasement because of glory — the manifested weight of a state; and there is one that lifts up his head from a low estate.

12There is that buyeth much for a little, and repayeth it sevenfold.

There is one that buys much for a little, and repays it sevenfold — a complete cycle over.

13A wise man by his words maketh him beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.

A wise man by his words makes himself beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out and wasted.

14The gift of a fool shall do thee no good when thou hast it; neither yet of the envious for his necessity: for he looketh to receive many things for one.

The gift of a fool shall do you no good when you have it; neither yet the gift of the envious, given from his necessity: for he looks to receive many things for one.

15He giveth little, and upbraideth much; he openeth his mouth like a crier; to day he lendeth, and to morrow will he ask it again: such an one is to be hated of God and man.

He gives little, and upbraids much; he opens his mouth like a crier; today he lends, and tomorrow he will ask it again: such an one is to be hated of the Source and of man.

16The fool saith, I have no friends, I have no thank for all my good deeds, and they that eat my bread speak evil of me.

The fool says, I have no friends, I have no thanks for all my good deeds, and they that eat my bread — my truth-substance — speak evil of me.

17How oft, and of how many shall he be laughed to scorn! for he knoweth not aright what it is to have; and it is all one unto him as if he had it not.

How often, and by how many, shall he be laughed to scorn! for he knows not aright what it is to have; and it is all one to him as if he had it not.

18To slip upon a pavement is better than to slip with the tongue: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.

To slip upon a pavement is better than to slip with the tongue: so the fall of the wicked — states twisted from the order — shall come speedily.

19An unseasonable tale will always be in the mouth of the unwise.

An unseasonable tale will always be in the mouth of the unwise.

20A wise sentence shall be rejected when it cometh out of a fool’s mouth; for he will not speak it in due season.

A wise sentence shall be rejected when it comes out of a fool's mouth; for he will not speak it in due season.

21There is that is hindered from sinning through want: and when he taketh rest, he shall not be troubled.

There is one that is hindered from erring through want: and when he takes rest, he shall not be troubled.

22There is that destroyeth his own soul through bashfulness, and by accepting of persons overthroweth himself.

There is one that destroys his own soul through bashfulness, and by accepting of persons overthrows himself.

23There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.

There is one that for bashfulness promises to his friend, and makes him his enemy for nothing.

24A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the untaught.

A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the untaught.

25A thief is better than a man that is accustomed to lie: but they both shall have destruction to heritage.

A thief is better than a man accustomed to lie: but they both shall have destruction as heritage.

26The disposition of a liar is dishonourable, and his shame is ever with him.

The disposition of a liar is dishonourable, and his shame is ever with him.

27A wise man shall promote himself to honour with his words: and he that hath understanding will please great men.

A wise man shall promote himself to honour with his words: and he that has understanding will please great men — the ruling states.

28He that tilleth his land shall increase his heap: and he that pleaseth great men shall get pardon for iniquity.

He that tills his land — his outer field of life — shall increase his heap: and he that pleases great men shall get pardon for error.

29Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and stop up his mouth that he cannot reprove.

Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and stop up his mouth that he cannot reprove.

30Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is hoarded up, what profit is in them both?

Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is hoarded up, what profit is in them both?

31Better is he that hideth his folly than a man that hideth his wisdom.

Better is he that hides his folly — his sense-bound closedness — than a man that hides his Wisdom.

32Necessary patience in seeking the Lord is better than he that leadeth his life without a guide.

Patient seeking of the indwelling LORD, though it be necessary and slow, is better than he that leads his life without a guide.

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