Ecclesiasticus 25

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

1In three things I was beautified, and stood up beautiful both before God and men: the unity of brethren, the love of neighbours, a man and a wife that agree together.

In three things I was beautified, and stood up beautiful both before the Source and men: the unity of brethren, the love of neighbours, a man and a wife that agree together.

2Three sorts of men my soul hateth, and I am greatly offended at their life: a poor man that is proud, a rich man that is a liar, and an old adulterer that doateth.

Three sorts of men my soul hates, and I am greatly offended at their life: a poor man that is proud, a rich man that is a liar, and an old adulterer that doats.

3If thou hast gathered nothing in thy youth, how canst thou find any thing in thine age?

If you have gathered nothing in your youth, how can you find anything in your age?

4O how comely a thing is judgment for gray hairs, and for ancient men to know counsel!

O how comely a thing is judgment for gray hairs, and for ancient men to know counsel!

5O how comely is the wisdom of old men, and understanding and counsel to men of honour.

O how comely is the wisdom of old men, and understanding and counsel to men of honour!

6Much experience is the crown of old men, and the fear of God is their glory.

Much experience is the crown of old men — the ruling state perfected and acknowledged — and the fear of the Source is their glory.

7There be nine things which I have judged in mine heart to be happy, and the tenth I will utter with my tongue: A man that hath joy of his children; and he that liveth to see the fall of his enemy:

There are nine things which I have judged in my heart to be happy, and the tenth I will utter with my tongue: A man that has joy of his children; and he that lives to see the fall of his enemy — the adversarial state:

8Well is him that dwelleth with a wife of understanding, and that hath not slipped with his tongue, and that hath not served a man more unworthy than himself:

Well is him that dwells with a wife of understanding, and that has not slipped with his tongue, and that has not served a man more unworthy than himself:

9Well is him that hath found prudence, and he that speaketh in the ears of them that will hear:

Well is him that has found prudence, and he that speaks in the ears of them that will hear:

10O how great is he that findeth wisdom! yet is there none above him that feareth the Lord.

O how great is he that finds Wisdom! yet is there none above him that fears the indwelling LORD.

11But the love of the Lord passeth all things for illumination: he that holdeth it, whereto shall he be likened?

But the love of the indwelling LORD passes all things for illumination — for light poured into consciousness: he that holds it, whereto shall he be likened?

12The fear of the Lord is the beginning of his love: and faith is the beginning of cleaving unto him.

The fear of the indwelling LORD is the beginning of His love: and faith is the beginning of cleaving unto Him.

13[Give me] any plague, but the plague of the heart: and any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman:

Give me any plague, but the plague of the heart: and any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman — the affection-faculty turned to disorder (the saying as Sirach gives it):

14And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate me: and any revenge, but the revenge of enemies.

And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate me: and any revenge, but the revenge of enemies.

15There is no head above the head of a serpent; and there is no wrath above the wrath of an enemy.

There is no head above the head of a serpent — the subtle sense-consciousness: and there is no wrath above the wrath of an enemy.

16I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman.

I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman.

17The wickedness of a woman changeth her face, and darkeneth her countenance like sackcloth.

The wickedness of a woman changes her face — her surface of awareness — and darkens her countenance like sackcloth.

18Her husband shall sit among his neighbours; and when he heareth it shall sigh bitterly.

Her husband shall sit among his neighbours; and when he hears it shall sigh bitterly.

19All wickedness is but little to the wickedness of a woman: let the portion of a sinner fall upon her.

All wickedness is but little beside the wickedness of a woman: let the portion of an error-bound state fall upon her.

20As the climbing up a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of words to a quiet man.

As the climbing up a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of words to a quiet man.

21Stumble not at the beauty of a woman, and desire her not for pleasure.

Stumble not at the beauty of a woman, and desire her not for pleasure.

22A woman, if she maintain her husband, is full of anger, impudence, and much reproach.

A woman, if she maintains her husband, is full of anger, impudence, and much reproach.

23A wicked woman abateth the courage, maketh an heavy countenance and a wounded heart: a woman that will not comfort her husband in distress maketh weak hands and feeble knees.

A wicked woman abates the courage, makes a heavy countenance and a wounded heart: a woman that will not comfort her husband in distress makes weak hands and feeble knees.

24Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die.

Of the woman came the beginning of error, and through her we all die — as the verse speaks of Eve, the affectional nature, through whom the first turning came; the fault is the turning, not the Source's making.

25Give the water no passage; neither a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.

Give the water no passage; neither give a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.

26If she go not as thou wouldest have her, cut her off from thy flesh, and give her a bill of divorce, and let her go.

If she goes not as you would have her, cut her off from your flesh, and give her a bill of divorce, and let her go.

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