Ecclesiasticus 21
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
1My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more, but ask pardon for thy former sins.
My son, have you erred? do so no more, but ask pardon for your former errors.
2Flee from sin as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest too near it, it will bite thee: the teeth thereof are as the teeth of a lion, slaying the souls of men.
Flee from error as from the face of a serpent — the subtle sense-consciousness whispering against the word: for if you come too near it, it will bite you: its teeth are as the teeth of a lion, slaying the souls of men.
3All iniquity is as a two edged sword, the wounds whereof cannot be healed.
All iniquity is as a two-edged sword — the cutting word turned to harm — the wounds whereof cannot be healed.
4To terrify and do wrong will waste riches: thus the house of proud men shall be made desolate.
To terrify and do wrong will waste riches — accumulated outer substance: thus the house of proud men shall be made desolate.
5A prayer out of a poor man’s mouth reacheth to the ears of God, and his judgment cometh speedily.
A prayer out of a poor man's mouth reaches to the ears of the Source, and his judgment — the order confronting his case — comes speedily.
6He that hateth to be reproved is in the way of sinners: but he that feareth the Lord will repent from his heart.
He that hates to be reproved is in the way of error-bound states: but he that fears the indwelling LORD will repent from his heart — turn in mind and return.
7An eloquent man is known far and near; but a man of understanding knoweth when he slippeth.
An eloquent man is known far and near; but a man of understanding knows when he slips.
8He that buildeth his house with other men’s money is like one that gathereth himself stones for the tomb of his burial.
He that builds his house with other men's money is like one that gathers himself stones for the tomb of his burial — building his state on what is not his own, toward his own death-state.
9The congregation of the wicked is like tow wrapped together: and the end of them is a flame of fire to destroy them.
The congregation of the wicked is like tow wrapped together: and the end of them is a flame of fire to destroy them.
10The way of sinners is made plain with stones, but at the end thereof is the pit of hell.
The way of error-bound states is made plain with stones, but at the end thereof is the pit of hell — the shadow-state of faculties asleep in death.
11He that keepeth the law of the Lord getteth the understanding thereof: and the perfection of the fear of the Lord is wisdom.
He that keeps the law of the indwelling LORD gets the understanding thereof: and the perfection of the fear of the indwelling LORD is Wisdom.
12He that is not wise will not be taught: but there is a wisdom which multiplieth bitterness.
He that is not wise will not be taught: but there is a wisdom of the sense kind which multiplies bitterness.
13The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood: and his counsel is like a pure fountain of life.
The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood: and his counsel is like a pure fountain of life.
14The inner parts of a fool are like a broken vessel, and he will hold no knowledge as long as he liveth.
The inner parts of a fool are like a broken vessel, and he will hold no knowledge as long as he lives.
15If a skilful man hear a wise word, he will commend it, and add unto it: but as soon as one of no understanding heareth it, it displeaseth him, and he casteth it behind his back.
If a skilful man hears a wise word, he will commend it, and add unto it: but as soon as one of no understanding hears it, it displeases him, and he casts it behind his back.
16The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but grace shall be found in the lips of the wise.
The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but grace — the unmerited inflow of divine life — shall be found in the lips of the wise.
17They enquire at the mouth of the wise man in the congregation, and they shall ponder his words in their heart.
They enquire at the mouth of the wise man in the congregation — the gathered company — and they shall ponder his words in their heart.
18As is a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool: and the knowledge of the unwise is as talk without sense.
As is a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool: and the knowledge of the unwise is as talk without sense.
19Doctrine unto fools is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand.
Doctrine to fools is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand — instruction felt only as restraint by the sense-bound state.
20A fool lifteth up his voice with laughter; but a wise man doth scarce smile a little.
A fool lifts up his voice with laughter; but a wise man scarcely smiles a little.
21Learning is unto a wise man as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet upon his right arm.
Learning is to a wise man as an ornament of gold — pure good made visible — and like a bracelet upon his right arm.
22A foolish man’s foot is soon in his [neighbour’s] house: but a man of experience is ashamed of him.
A foolish man's foot is soon in his neighbour's house: but a man of experience is ashamed of him.
23A fool will peep in at the door into the house: but he that is well nurtured will stand without.
A fool will peep in at the door into the house: but he that is well nurtured will stand without.
24It is the rudeness of a man to hearken at the door: but a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace.
It is the rudeness of a man to hearken at the door: but a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace.
25The lips of talkers will be telling such things as pertain not unto them: but the words of such as have understanding are weighed in the balance.
The lips of talkers will be telling such things as pertain not to them: but the words of such as have understanding are weighed in the balance.
26The heart of fools is in their mouth: but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.
The heart of fools is in their mouth: but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.
27When the ungodly curseth Satan, he curseth his own soul.
When the ungodly curses Satan — the adversarial sense-mind — he curses his own soul, for the adversary he names is his own state.
28A whisperer defileth his own soul, and is hated wheresoever he dwelleth.
A whisperer defiles his own soul, and is hated wheresoever he dwells.
Companion volume to The Why Bible — the King James Apocrypha, rendered in its spiritual meanings. First final edition, October 2026.