Ecclesiasticus 28

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

1He that revengeth shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins [in remembrance.]

He that revenges shall find the settling of accounts from the indwelling LORD, and He will surely keep his errors in remembrance.

2Forgive thy neighbour the hurt that he hath done unto thee, so shall thy sins also be forgiven when thou prayest.

Forgive your neighbour the hurt that he has done unto you, so shall your errors also be forgiven when you pray.

3One man beareth hatred against another, and doth he seek pardon from the Lord?

One man bears hatred against another, and does he seek pardon from the indwelling LORD?

4He sheweth no mercy to a man, which is like himself: and doth he ask forgiveness of his own sins?

He shows no mercy to a man, which is like himself: and does he ask forgiveness of his own errors?

5If he that is but flesh nourish hatred, who will intreat for pardon of his sins?

If he that is but flesh nourishes hatred, who will intreat for pardon of his errors?

6Remember thy end, and let enmity cease; [remember] corruption and death, and abide in the commandments.

Remember your end, and let enmity cease; remember corruption and the death-state, and abide in the commandments.

7Remember the commandments, and bear no malice to thy neighbour: [remember] the covenant of the Highest, and wink at ignorance.

Remember the commandments, and bear no malice to your neighbour: remember the covenant of the Highest — the Source as the most High — and wink at ignorance.

8Abstain from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy sins: for a furious man will kindle strife,

Abstain from strife, and you shall diminish your errors: for a furious man will kindle strife,

9A sinful man disquieteth friends, and maketh debate among them that be at peace.

An error-bound man disquiets friends, and makes debate among them that are at peace.

10As the matter of the fire is, so it burneth: and as a man’s strength is, so is his wrath; and according to his riches his anger riseth; and the stronger they are which contend, the more they will be inflamed.

As the matter of the fire is, so it burns: and as a man's strength is, so is his wrath; and according to his riches his anger rises; and the stronger they are which contend, the more they will be inflamed.

11An hasty contention kindleth a fire: and an hasty fighting sheddeth blood.

A hasty contention kindles a fire: and hasty fighting sheds blood.

12If thou blow the spark, it shall burn: if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched: and both these come out of thy mouth.

If you blow the spark, it shall burn: if you spit upon it, it shall be quenched: and both these come out of your mouth.

13Curse the whisperer and doubletongued: for such have destroyed many that were at peace.

Curse the whisperer and double-tongued: for such have destroyed many that were at peace.

14A backbiting tongue hath disquieted many, and driven them from nation to nation: strong cities hath it pulled down, and overthrown the houses of great men.

A backbiting tongue has disquieted many, and driven them from nation to nation: strong cities — established centres of consciousness — it has pulled down, and overthrown the houses of great men.

15A backbiting tongue hath cast out virtuous women, and deprived them of their labours.

A backbiting tongue has cast out virtuous women, and deprived them of their labours.

16Whoso hearkeneth unto it shall never find rest, and never dwell quietly.

Whoso hearkens unto it shall never find rest, and never dwell quietly.

17The stroke of the whip maketh marks in the flesh: but the stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones.

The stroke of the whip makes marks in the flesh: but the stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones — the essential structure of a state.

18Many have fallen by the edge of the sword: but not so many as have fallen by the tongue.

Many have fallen by the edge of the sword: but not so many as have fallen by the tongue.

19Well is he that is defended through the venom thereof; who hath not drawn the yoke thereof, nor hath been bound in her bands.

Well is he that is defended from the venom thereof; who has not drawn the yoke thereof, nor has been bound in her bands.

20For the yoke thereof is a yoke of iron, and the bands thereof are bands of brass.

For the yoke thereof is a yoke of iron, and the bands thereof are bands of brass.

21The death thereof is an evil death, the grave were better than it.

The death thereof is an evil death-state, the grave were better than it.

22It shall not have rule over them that fear God, neither shall they be burned with the flame thereof.

It shall not have rule over them that fear the Source, neither shall they be burned with the flame thereof.

23Such as forsake the Lord shall fall into it; and it shall burn in them, and not be quenched; it shall be sent upon them as a lion, and devour them as a leopard.

Such as forsake the indwelling LORD shall fall into it; and it shall burn in them, and not be quenched; it shall be sent upon them as a lion, and devour them as a leopard.

24Look that thou hedge thy possession about with thorns, and bind up thy silver and gold,

Look that you hedge your possession about with thorns, and bind up your silver and gold,

25And weigh thy words in a balance, and make a door and bar for thy mouth.

And weigh your words in a balance, and make a door and bar for your mouth.

26Beware thou slide not by it, lest thou fall before him that lieth in wait.

Beware you slide not by it, lest you fall before him that lies in wait.

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