Ecclesiasticus 3
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
1Hear me your father, O children, and do thereafter, that ye may be safe.
Hear me, your father, O children — the originating faculty speaking to the states born of it — and do thereafter, that you may be safe.
2For the Lord hath given the father honour over the children, and hath confirmed the authority of the mother over the sons.
For the indwelling LORD has given the father honour over the children, and has confirmed the authority of the mother — the affection that bore the state — over the sons.
3Whoso honoureth his father maketh an atonement for his sins:
Whoever honours his father makes an atonement — an at-one-ment, a covering of error — for his sins.
4And he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up treasure.
And he that honours his mother is as one that lays up treasure.
5Whoso honoureth his father shall have joy of his own children; and when he maketh his prayer, he shall be heard.
Whoever honours his father shall have joy of his own children; and when he makes his prayer, he shall be heard.
6He that honoureth his father shall have a long life; and he that is obedient unto the Lord shall be a comfort to his mother.
He that honours his father shall have a long life; and he that is obedient to the indwelling LORD shall be a comfort to his mother.
7He that feareth the Lord will honour his father, and will do service unto his parents, as to his masters.
He that fears the LORD will honour his father, and will do service to his parents, as to his masters.
8Honour thy father and mother both in word and deed, that a blessing may come upon thee from them.
Honour your father and mother both in word and deed, that a blessing — divine increase — may come upon you from them.
9For the blessing of the father establisheth the houses of children; but the curse of the mother rooteth out foundations.
For the blessing of the father establishes the houses of children; but the curse of the mother roots out foundations.
10Glory not in the dishonour of thy father; for thy father’s dishonour is no glory unto thee.
Glory not in the dishonour of your father; for your father's dishonour is no glory to you.
11For the glory of a man is from the honour of his father; and a mother in dishonour is a reproach to the children.
For the glory of a man is from the honour of his father; and a mother in dishonour is a reproach to the children.
12My son, help thy father in his age, and grieve him not as long as he liveth.
My son, help your father in his age, and grieve him not as long as he lives.
13And if his understanding fail, have patience with him; and despise him not when thou art in thy full strength.
And if his understanding fail, have patience with him; and despise him not when you are in your full strength.
14For the relieving of thy father shall not be forgotten: and instead of sins it shall be added to build thee up.
For the relieving of your father shall not be forgotten: and instead of sins it shall be added to build you up.
15In the day of thine affliction it shall be remembered; thy sins also shall melt away, as the ice in the fair warm weather.
In the day of your affliction it shall be remembered; your sins also shall melt away, as ice in the fair warm weather.
16He that forsaketh his father is as a blasphemer; and he that angereth his mother is cursed: of God.
He that forsakes his father is as a blasphemer; and he that angers his mother is cursed of the Source.
17My son, go on with thy business in meekness; so shalt thou be beloved of him that is approved.
My son, go on with your business in meekness; so shall you be beloved of him that is approved.
18The greater thou art, the more humble thyself, and thou shalt find favour before the Lord.
The greater you are, the more humble yourself, and you shall find favour before the indwelling LORD.
19Many are in high place, and of renown: but mysteries are revealed unto the meek.
Many are in high place, and of renown: but mysteries are revealed to the meek.
20For the power of the Lord is great, and he is honoured of the lowly.
For the power of the indwelling LORD is great, and He is honoured of the lowly.
21Seek not out things that are too hard for thee, neither search the things that are above thy strength.
Seek not out things too hard for you, neither search things above your strength.
22But what is commanded thee, think thereupon with reverence, for it is not needful for thee to see with thine eyes the things that are in secret.
But what is commanded you, think thereupon with reverence; for it is not needful for you to see with your eyes the things that are in secret.
23Be not curious in unnecessary matters: for more things are shewed unto thee than men understand.
Be not curious in unnecessary matters: for more things are shown to you than men understand.
24For many are deceived by their own vain opinion; and an evil suspicion hath overthrown their judgment.
For many are deceived by their own vain opinion; and an evil suspicion has overthrown their judgment.
25Without eyes thou shalt want light: profess not the knowledge therefore that thou hast not.
Without eyes you shall want light — understanding: profess not, therefore, the knowledge you have not.
26A stubborn heart shall fare evil at the last; and he that loveth danger shall perish therein.
A stubborn heart shall fare evil at the last; and he that loves danger shall perish therein.
27An obstinate heart shall be laden with sorrows; and the wicked man shall heap sin upon sin.
An obstinate heart shall be laden with sorrows; and the wicked man — a state twisted from the order — shall heap sin upon sin, error upon error.
28In the punishment of the proud there is no remedy; for the plant of wickedness hath taken root in him.
In the punishment of the proud there is no remedy; for the plant of wickedness has taken root in him.
29The heart of the prudent will understand a parable; and an attentive ear is the desire of a wise man.
The heart of the prudent will understand a parable — an outer story carrying an inner truth — and an attentive ear is the desire of a wise man.
30Water will quench a flaming fire; and alms maketh an atonement for sins.
Water will quench a flaming fire; and alms make an atonement for sins — mercy poured out covers error as water covers flame.
31And he that requiteth good turns is mindful of that which may come hereafter; and when he falleth, he shall find a stay.
And he that requites good turns is mindful of what may come hereafter; and when he falls, he shall find a stay.
Companion volume to The Why Bible — the King James Apocrypha, rendered in its spiritual meanings. First final edition, October 2026.