Ecclesiasticus 27
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
1Many have sinned for a small matter; and he that seeketh for abundance will turn his eyes away.
Many have erred for a small matter; and he that seeks for abundance will turn his eyes away.
2As a nail sticketh fast between the joinings of the stones; so doth sin stick close between buying and selling.
As a nail sticks fast between the joinings of the stones; so does error stick close between buying and selling.
3Unless a man hold himself diligently in the fear of the Lord, his house shall soon be overthrown.
Unless a man holds himself diligently in the fear of the indwelling LORD, his house shall soon be overthrown.
4As when one sifteth with a sieve, the refuse remaineth; so the filth of man in his talk.
As when one sifts with a sieve, the refuse remains; so the filth of man shows in his talk.
5The furnace proveth the potter’s vessels; so the trial of man is in his reasoning.
The furnace proves the potter's vessels; so the trial of man is in his reasoning.
6The fruit declareth if the tree have been dressed; so is the utterance of a conceit in the heart of man.
The fruit declares if the tree has been dressed; so is the utterance of a conceit in the heart of man — the state is known by what it brings forth.
7Praise no man before thou hearest him speak; for this is the trial of men.
Praise no man before you hear him speak; for this is the trial of men.
8If thou followest righteousness, thou shalt obtain her, and put her on, as a glorious long robe.
If you follow right relation to the order, you shall obtain her, and put her on, as a glorious long robe.
9The birds will resort unto their like; so will truth return unto them that practise in her.
The birds — the soaring thoughts — will resort unto their like; so will truth return unto them that practise in her.
10As the lion lieth in wait for the prey; so sin for them that work iniquity.
As the lion lies in wait for the prey; so error waits for them that work iniquity.
11The discourse of a godly man is always with wisdom; but a fool changeth as the moon.
The discourse of a godly man is always with Wisdom; but a fool changes as the moon — the lesser, reflected light, ever waxing and waning.
12If thou be among the indiscreet, observe the time; but be continually among men of understanding.
If you are among the indiscreet, observe the time; but be continually among men of understanding.
13The discourse of fools is irksome, and their sport is the wantonness of sin.
The discourse of fools is irksome, and their sport is the wantonness of error.
14The talk of him that sweareth much maketh the hair stand upright; and their brawls make one stop his ears.
The talk of him that swears much makes the hair stand upright; and their brawls make one stop his ears.
15The strife of the proud is bloodshedding, and their revilings are grievous to the ear.
The strife of the proud is bloodshedding — the life-stream poured out in contention — and their revilings are grievous to the ear.
16Whoso discovereth secrets loseth his credit; and shall never find friend to his mind.
Whoso discovers secrets loses his credit; and shall never find a friend to his mind.
17Love thy friend, and be faithful unto him: but if thou betrayest his secrets, follow no more after him.
Love your friend, and be faithful unto him: but if you betray his secrets, follow no more after him.
18For as a man hath destroyed his enemy; so hast thou lost the love of thy neighbor.
For as a man has destroyed his enemy; so have you lost the love of your neighbour.
19As one that letteth a bird go out of his hand, so hast thou let thy neighbour go, and shalt not get him again
As one that lets a bird go out of his hand, so have you let your neighbour go, and shall not get him again.
20Follow after him no more, for he is too far off; he is as a roe escaped out of the snare.
Follow after him no more, for he is too far off; he is as a roe escaped out of the snare.
21As for a wound, it may be bound up; and after reviling there may be reconcilement: but he that betrayeth secrets is without hope.
As for a wound, it may be bound up; and after reviling there may be reconcilement: but he that betrays secrets is without hope.
22He that winketh with the eyes worketh evil: and he that knoweth him will depart from him.
He that winks with the eyes works evil: and he that knows him will depart from him.
23When thou art present, he will speak sweetly, and will admire thy words: but at the last he will writhe his mouth, and slander thy sayings.
When you are present, he will speak sweetly, and will admire your words: but at the last he will writhe his mouth, and slander your sayings.
24I have hated many things, but nothing like him; for the Lord will hate him.
I have hated many things, but nothing like him; for the indwelling LORD will hate him — will set His order wholly against that state.
25Whoso casteth a stone on high casteth it on his own head; and a deceitful stroke shall make wounds.
Whoso casts a stone on high casts it on his own head; and a deceitful stroke shall make wounds.
26Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that setteth a trap shall be taken therein.
Whoso digs a pit — the empty depth — shall fall therein: and he that sets a trap shall be taken therein.
27He that worketh mischief, it shall fall upon him, and he shall not know whence it cometh.
He that works mischief, it shall fall upon him, and he shall not know whence it comes.
28Mockery and reproach are from the proud; but vengeance, as a lion, shall lie in wait for them.
Mockery and reproach are from the proud; but the settling of accounts, as a lion, shall lie in wait for them.
29They that rejoice at the fall of the righteous shall be taken in the snare; and anguish shall consume them before they die.
They that rejoice at the fall of the right-ordered shall be taken in the snare; and anguish shall consume them before they die.
30Malice and wrath, even these are abominations; and the sinful man shall have them both.
Malice and wrath, even these are abominations; and the error-bound man shall have them both.
Companion volume to The Why Bible — the King James Apocrypha, rendered in its spiritual meanings. First final edition, October 2026.