Ecclesiasticus 30

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 loveth his son causeth him oft to feel the rod, that he may have joy of him in the end.

He that loves his son causes him oft to feel the rod — correction — that he may have joy of him in the end.

2He that chastiseth his son shall have joy in him, and shall rejoice of him among his acquaintance.

He that chastises his son shall have joy in him, and shall rejoice of him among his acquaintance.

3He that teacheth his son grieveth the enemy: and before his friends he shall rejoice of him.

He that teaches his son grieves the enemy: and before his friends he shall rejoice of him.

4Though his father die, yet he is as though he were not dead: for he hath left one behind him that is like himself.

Though his father dies, yet he is as though he were not dead: for he has left one behind him that is like himself.

5While he lived, he saw and rejoiced in him: and when he died, he was not sorrowful.

While he lived, he saw and rejoiced in him: and when he died, he was not sorrowful.

6He left behind him an avenger against his enemies, and one that shall requite kindness to his friends.

He left behind him an avenger against his enemies, and one that shall requite kindness to his friends.

7He that maketh too much of his son shall bind up his wounds; and his bowels will be troubled at every cry.

He that makes too much of his son shall bind up his wounds; and his inward parts will be troubled at every cry.

8An horse not broken becometh headstrong: and a child left to himself will be wilful.

A horse not broken becomes headstrong: and a child left to himself will be wilful.

9Cocker thy child, and he shall make thee afraid: play with him, and he will bring thee to heaviness.

Cocker your child, and he shall make you afraid: play with him, and he will bring you to heaviness.

10Laugh not with him, lest thou have sorrow with him, and lest thou gnash thy teeth in the end.

Laugh not with him, lest you have sorrow with him, and lest you gnash your teeth in the end.

11Give him no liberty in his youth, and wink not at his follies.

Give him no liberty in his youth, and wink not at his follies.

12Bow down his neck while he is young, and beat him on the sides while he is a child, lest he wax stubborn, and be disobedient unto thee, and so bring sorrow to thine heart.

Bow down his neck while he is young, and beat him on the sides while he is a child, lest he wax stubborn, and be disobedient unto you, and so bring sorrow to your heart.

13Chastise thy son, and hold him to labour, lest his lewd behaviour be an offence unto thee.

Chastise your son, and hold him to labour, lest his lewd behaviour be an offence unto you.

14Better is the poor, being sound and strong of constitution, than a rich man that is afflicted in his body.

Better is the poor, being sound and strong of constitution, than a rich man that is afflicted in his body.

15Health and good estate of body are above all gold, and a strong body above infinite wealth.

Health and good estate of body are above all gold, and a strong body above infinite wealth.

16There is no riches above a sound body, and no joy above the joy of the heart.

There is no riches above a sound body, and no joy above the joy of the heart.

17Death is better than a bitter life or continual sickness.

The death-state is better than a bitter life or continual sickness — as the verse weighs the outward states.

18Delicates poured upon a mouth shut up are as messes of meat set upon a grave.

Delicates poured upon a mouth shut up are as messes of meat set upon a grave — nourishment offered where no faculty can receive it.

19What good doeth the offering unto an idol? for neither can it eat nor smell: so is he that is persecuted of the Lord.

What good does the offering to an idol — a formed image of a lesser good worshipped in the Source's place? for neither can it eat nor smell: so is he that is persecuted of the indwelling LORD — held in the consequence of his own state.

20He seeth with his eyes and groaneth, as an eunuch that embraceth a virgin and sigheth.

He sees with his eyes and groans, as an eunuch that embraces a virgin and sighs.

21Give not over thy mind to heaviness, and afflict not thyself in thine own counsel.

Give not over your mind to heaviness, and afflict not yourself in your own counsel.

22The gladness of the heart is the life of man, and the joyfulness of a man prolongeth his days.

The gladness of the heart is the life of man, and the joyfulness of a man prolongs his days.

23Love thine own soul, and comfort thy heart, remove sorrow far from thee: for sorrow hath killed many, and there is no profit therein.

Love your own soul, and comfort your heart, remove sorrow far from you: for sorrow has killed many, and there is no profit therein.

24Envy and wrath shorten the life, and carefulness bringeth age before the time.

Envy and wrath shorten the life, and carefulness brings age before the time.

25A cheerful and good heart will have a care of his meat and diet.

A cheerful and good heart will have a care of his meat and diet — of the nourishment he takes in.

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