Ecclesiasticus 29
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 is merciful will lend unto his neighbour; and he that strengtheneth his hand keepeth the commandments.
He that is merciful will lend unto his neighbour; and he that strengthens his hand keeps the commandments.
2Lend to thy neighbour in time of his need, and pay thou thy neighbour again in due season.
Lend to your neighbour in time of his need, and pay you your neighbour again in due season.
3Keep thy word, and deal faithfully with him, and thou shalt always find the thing that is necessary for thee.
Keep your word, and deal faithfully with him, and you shall always find the thing that is necessary for you.
4Many, when a thing was lent them, reckoned it to be found, and put them to trouble that helped them.
Many, when a thing was lent them, reckoned it to be found, and put them to trouble that helped them.
5Till he hath received, he will kiss a man’s hand; and for his neighbour’s money he will speak submissly: but when he should repay, he will prolong the time, and return words of grief, and complain of the time.
Till he has received, he will kiss a man's hand; and for his neighbour's money he will speak submissly: but when he should repay, he will prolong the time, and return words of grief, and complain of the time.
6If he prevail, he shall hardly receive the half, and he will count as if he had found it: if not, he hath deprived him of his money, and he hath gotten him an enemy without cause: he payeth him with cursings and railings; and for honour he will pay him disgrace.
If he prevails, he shall hardly receive the half, and he will count it as if he had found it: if not, he has deprived him of his money, and has gotten him an enemy without cause: he pays him with cursings and railings; and for honour he will pay him disgrace.
7Many therefore have refused to lend for other men’s ill dealing, fearing to be defrauded.
Many therefore have refused to lend for other men's ill dealing, fearing to be defrauded.
8Yet have thou patience with a man in poor estate, and delay not to shew him mercy.
Yet have patience with a man in poor estate, and delay not to show him mercy.
9Help the poor for the commandment’s sake, and turn him not away because of his poverty.
Help the poor for the commandment's sake, and turn him not away because of his poverty.
10Lose thy money for thy brother and thy friend, and let it not rust under a stone to be lost.
Lose your money for your brother and your friend, and let it not rust under a stone to be lost.
11Lay up thy treasure according to the commandments of the most High, and it shall bring thee more profit than gold.
Lay up your treasure according to the commandments of the most High, and it shall bring you more profit than gold.
12Shut up alms in thy storehouses: and it shall deliver thee from all affliction.
Shut up alms in your storehouses: and it shall deliver you from all affliction.
13It shall fight for thee against thine enemies better than a mighty shield and strong spear.
It shall fight for you against your enemies better than a mighty shield and strong spear — the defensive furnishings of the spiritual state turned outward in mercy.
14An honest man is surety for his neighbour: but he that is impudent will forsake him.
An honest man is surety for his neighbour: but he that is impudent will forsake him.
15Forget not the friendship of thy surety, for he hath given his life for thee.
Forget not the friendship of your surety, for he has given his life for you.
16A sinner will overthrow the good estate of his surety:
An error-bound state will overthrow the good estate of his surety:
17And he that is of an unthankful mind will leave him [in danger] that delivered him.
And he that is of an unthankful mind will leave him in danger that delivered him.
18Suretiship hath undone many of good estate, and shaken them as a wave of the sea: mighty men hath it driven from their houses, so that they wandered among strange nations.
Suretiship has undone many of good estate, and shaken them as a wave of the sea: mighty men it has driven from their houses, so that they wandered among strange nations.
19A wicked man transgressing the commandments of the Lord shall fall into suretiship: and he that undertaketh and followeth other men’s business for gain shall fall into suits.
A wicked man transgressing the commandments of the indwelling LORD shall fall into suretiship: and he that undertakes and follows other men's business for gain shall fall into suits.
20Help thy neighbour according to thy power, and beware that thou thyself fall not into the same.
Help your neighbour according to your power, and beware that you yourself fall not into the same.
21The chief thing for life is water, and bread, and clothing, and an house to cover shame.
The chief things for life are water — the fluid state of thought made living — and bread — truth-substance — and clothing, and a house to cover shame.
22Better is the life of a poor man in a mean cottage, than delicate fare in another man’s house.
Better is the life of a poor man in a mean cottage, than delicate fare in another man's house.
23Be it little or much, hold thee contented, that thou hear not the reproach of thy house.
Be it little or much, hold yourself contented, that you hear not the reproach of your house.
24For it is a miserable life to go from house to house: for where thou art a stranger, thou darest not open thy mouth.
For it is a miserable life to go from house to house: for where you are a stranger, you dare not open your mouth.
25Thou shalt entertain, and feast, and have no thanks: moreover thou shalt hear bitter words:
You shall entertain, and feast, and have no thanks: moreover you shall hear bitter words:
26Come, thou stranger, and furnish a table, and feed me of that thou hast ready.
Come, you stranger, and furnish a table, and feed me of that you have ready.
27Give place, thou stranger, to an honourable man; my brother cometh to be lodged, and I have need of mine house.
Give place, you stranger, to an honourable man; my brother comes to be lodged, and I have need of my house.
28These things are grievous to a man of understanding; the upbraiding of houseroom, and reproaching of the lender.
These things are grievous to a man of understanding; the upbraiding of houseroom, and reproaching of the lender.
Companion volume to The Why Bible — the King James Apocrypha, rendered in its spiritual meanings. First final edition, October 2026.