Ecclesiasticus 31

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

1Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the care thereof driveth away sleep.

Watching for riches consumes the flesh, and the care thereof drives away sleep.

2Watching care will not let a man slumber, as a sore disease breaketh sleep,

Watching care will not let a man slumber, as a sore disease breaks sleep,

3The rich hath great labour in gathering riches together; and when he resteth, he is filled with his delicates.

The rich has great labour in gathering riches together; and when he rests, he is filled with his delicates.

4The poor laboureth in his poor estate; and when he leaveth off, he is still needy.

The poor labours in his poor estate; and when he leaves off, he is still needy.

5He that loveth gold shall not be justified, and he that followeth corruption shall have enough thereof.

He that loves gold shall not be set right, and he that follows corruption shall have enough thereof.

6Gold hath been the ruin of many, and their destruction was present.

Gold has been the ruin of many, and their destruction was present — the accumulation loved for itself turns upon the state.

7It is a stumblingblock unto them that sacrifice unto it, and every fool shall be taken therewith.

It is a stumblingblock unto them that sacrifice unto it — that yield themselves to it — and every fool shall be taken therewith.

8Blessed is the rich that is found without blemish, and hath not gone after gold.

Blessed is the rich that is found without blemish, and has not gone after gold.

9Who is he? and we will call him blessed: for wonderful things hath he done among his people.

Who is he? and we will call him blessed: for wonderful things has he done among his people.

10Who hath been tried thereby, and found perfect? then let him glory. Who might offend, and hath not offended? or done evil, and hath not done it?

Who has been tried thereby, and found perfect? then let him glory. Who might offend, and has not offended? or done evil, and has not done it?

11His goods shall be established, and the congregation shall declare his alms.

His goods shall be established, and the congregation shall declare his alms.

12If thou sit at a bountiful table, be not greedy upon it, and say not, There is much meat on it.

If you sit at a bountiful table — a feast of outer provision — be not greedy upon it, and say not, There is much meat on it.

13Remember that a wicked eye is an evil thing: and what is created more wicked than an eye? therefore it weepeth upon every occasion.

Remember that a wicked eye is an evil thing: and what is created more wicked than an eye? therefore it weeps upon every occasion.

14Stretch not thine hand whithersoever it looketh, and thrust it not with him into the dish.

Stretch not your hand whithersoever it looks, and thrust it not with him into the dish.

15Judge not thy neighbour by thyself: and be discreet in every point.

Judge your neighbour by yourself: and be discreet in every point.

16Eat as it becometh a man, those things which are set before thee; and devour not, lest thou be hated.

Eat as it becomes a man, those things which are set before you; and devour not, lest you be hated.

17Leave off first for manners’ sake; and be not unsatiable, lest thou offend.

Leave off first for manners' sake; and be not unsatiable, lest you offend.

18When thou sittest among many, reach not thine hand out first of all.

When you sit among many, reach not your hand out first of all.

19A very little is sufficient for a man well nurtured, and he fetcheth not his wind short upon his bed.

A very little is sufficient for a man well nurtured, and he fetches not his wind short upon his bed.

20Sound sleep cometh of moderate eating: he riseth early, and his wits are with him: but the pain of watching, and choler, and pangs of the belly, are with an unsatiable man.

Sound sleep comes of moderate eating: he rises early, and his wits are with him: but the pain of watching, and choler, and pangs of the belly, are with an unsatiable man.

21And if thou hast been forced to eat, arise, go forth, vomit, and thou shalt have rest.

And if you have been forced to eat, arise, go forth, vomit, and you shall have rest.

22My son, hear me, and despise me not, and at the last thou shalt find as I told thee: in all thy works be quick, so shall there no sickness come unto thee.

My son, hear me, and despise me not, and at the last you shall find as I told you: in all your works be quick, so shall no sickness come unto you.

23Whoso is liberal of his meat, men shall speak well of him; and the report of his good housekeeping will be believed.

Whoso is liberal of his meat, men shall speak well of him; and the report of his good housekeeping will be believed.

24But against him that is a niggard of his meat the whole city shall murmur; and the testimonies of his niggardness shall not be doubted of.

But against him that is a niggard of his meat the whole city shall murmur; and the testimonies of his niggardness shall not be doubted of.

25Shew not thy valiantness in wine; for wine hath destroyed many.

Show not your valiantness in wine; for wine has destroyed many.

26The furnace proveth the edge by dipping: so doth wine the hearts of the proud by drunkeness.

The furnace proves the edge by dipping: so does wine prove the hearts of the proud by drunkenness.

27Wine is as good as life to a man, if it be drunk moderately: what life is then to a man that is without wine? for it was made to make men glad.

Wine is as good as life to a man, if it be drunk moderately: what life is then to a man that is without wine? for it was made to make men glad — the spiritual essence of truth, in its measure, is joy.

28Wine measurably drunk and in season bringeth gladness of the heart, and cheerfulness of the mind:

Wine measurably drunk and in season brings gladness of the heart, and cheerfulness of the mind:

29But wine drunken with excess maketh bitterness of the mind, with brawling and quarrelling.

But wine drunken with excess makes bitterness of the mind, with brawling and quarrelling.

30Drunkenness increaseth the rage of a fool till he offend: it diminisheth strength, and maketh wounds.

Drunkenness increases the rage of a fool till he offends: it diminishes strength, and makes wounds.

31Rebuke not thy neighbour at the wine, and despise him not in his mirth: give him no despiteful words, and press not upon him with urging him [to drink.]

Rebuke not your neighbour at the wine, and despise him not in his mirth: give him no despiteful words, and press not upon him with urging him to drink.

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