Ecclesiasticus 22

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 slothful man is compared to a filthy stone, and every one will hiss him out to his disgrace.

A slothful man is compared to a filthy stone, and every one will hiss him out to his disgrace.

2A slothful man is compared to the filth of a dunghill: every man that takes it up will shake his hand.

A slothful man is compared to the filth of a dunghill: every man that takes it up will shake his hand.

3An evilnurtured son is the dishonour of his father that begat him: and a [foolish] daughter is born to his loss.

An evil-nurtured son — a state formed without discipline — is the dishonour of his father that begat him: and a foolish daughter — a forming affection-state — is born to his loss.

4A wise daughter shall bring an inheritance to her husband: but she that liveth dishonestly is her father’s heaviness.

A wise daughter shall bring an inheritance to her husband: but she that lives dishonestly is her father's heaviness.

5She that is bold dishonoureth both her father and her husband, but they both shall despise her.

She that is bold dishonours both her father and her husband, but they both shall despise her.

6A tale out of season [is as] musick in mourning: but stripes and correction of wisdom are never out of time.

A tale out of season is as music in mourning: but stripes and correction of Wisdom are never out of time.

7Whoso teacheth a fool is as one that glueth a potsherd together, and as he that waketh one from a sound sleep.

Whoso teaches a fool is as one that glues a potsherd together, and as he that wakes one from a sound sleep.

8He that telleth a tale to a fool speaketh to one in a slumber: when he hath told his tale, he will say, What is the matter?

He that tells a tale to a fool speaks to one in a slumber: when he has told his tale, he will say, What is the matter?

9If children live honestly, and have wherewithal, they shall cover the baseness of their parents.

If children live honestly, and have wherewithal, they shall cover the low estate of their parents.

10But children, being haughty, through disdain and want of nurture do stain the nobility of their kindred.

But children, being haughty, through disdain and want of nurture do stain the nobility of their kindred.

11Weep for the dead, for he hath lost the light: and weep for the fool, for he wanteth understanding: make little weeping for the dead, for he is at rest: but the life of the fool is worse than death.

Weep for the dead, for he has lost the light — understanding: and weep for the fool, for he wants understanding: make little weeping for the dead, for he is at rest: but the life of the fool is worse than the death-state.

12Seven days do men mourn for him that is dead; but for a fool and an ungodly man all the days of his life.

Seven days — a complete cycle — do men mourn for him that is dead; but for a fool and an ungodly man, all the days of his life.

13Talk not much with a fool, and go not to him that hath no understanding: beware of him, lest thou have trouble, and thou shalt never be defiled with his fooleries: depart from him, and thou shalt find rest, and never be disquieted with madness.

Talk not much with a fool, and go not to him that has no understanding: beware of him, lest you have trouble, and you shall never be defiled with his fooleries: depart from him, and you shall find rest, and never be disquieted with madness.

14What is heavier than lead? and what is the name thereof, but a fool?

What is heavier than lead? and what is the name thereof, but a fool?

15Sand, and salt, and a mass of iron, is easier to bear, than a man without understanding.

Sand, and salt, and a mass of iron, are easier to bear, than a man without understanding.

16As timber girt and bound together in a building cannot be loosed with shaking: so the heart that is stablished by advised counsel shall fear at no time.

As timber girt and bound together in a building cannot be loosed with shaking: so the heart that is established by advised counsel shall fear at no time.

17A heart settled upon a thought of understanding is as a fair plaistering on the wall of a gallery.

A heart settled upon a thought of understanding is as a fair plastering on the wall of a gallery.

18Pales set on an high place will never stand against the wind: so a fearful heart in the imagination of a fool cannot stand against any fear.

Pales set on a high place will never stand against the wind — the Breath in its moving: so a fearful heart in the imagination of a fool cannot stand against any fear.

19He that pricketh the eye will make tears to fall: and he that pricketh the heart maketh it to shew her knowledge.

He that pricks the eye will make tears to fall: and he that pricks the heart makes it show its knowledge.

20Whoso casteth a stone at the birds frayeth them away: and he that upbraideth his friend breaketh friendship.

Whoso casts a stone at the birds — the soaring thoughts — frightens them away: and he that upbraids his friend breaks friendship.

21Though thou drewest a sword at thy friend, yet despair not: for there may be a returning [to favour.]

Though you drew a sword at your friend, yet despair not: for there may be a returning to favour.

22If thou hast opened thy mouth against thy friend, fear not; for there may be a reconciliation: except for upbraiding, or pride, or disclosing of secrets, or a treacherous wound: for these things every friend will depart.

If you have opened your mouth against your friend, fear not; for there may be a reconciliation: except for upbraiding, or pride, or disclosing of secrets, or a treacherous wound: for by these things every friend will depart.

23Be faithful to thy neighbour in his poverty, that thou mayest rejoice in his prosperity: abide stedfast unto him in the time of his trouble, that thou mayest be heir with him in his heritage: for a mean estate is not always to be contemned: nor the rich that is foolish to be had in admiration.

Be faithful to your neighbour in his poverty, that you may rejoice in his prosperity: abide steadfast unto him in the time of his trouble, that you may be heir with him in his heritage: for a low estate is not always to be despised: nor the rich that is foolish to be had in admiration.

24As the vapour and smoke of a furnace goeth before the fire; so reviling before blood.

As the vapour and smoke of a furnace go before the fire; so reviling goes before blood — before the life-stream is poured out in strife.

25I will not be ashamed to defend a friend; neither will I hide myself from him.

I will not be ashamed to defend a friend; neither will I hide myself from him.

26And if any evil happen unto me by him, every one that heareth it will beware of him.

And if any evil happens unto me by him, every one that hears it will beware of him.

27Who shall set a watch before my mouth, and a seal of wisdom upon my lips, that I fall not suddenly by them, and that my tongue destroy me not?

Who shall set a watch before my mouth, and a seal of Wisdom upon my lips, that I fall not suddenly by them, and that my tongue destroy me not?

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