Ecclesiasticus 32
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
1If thou be made the master [of a feast,] lift not thyself up, but be among them as one of the rest; take diligent care for them, and so sit down.
If you are made the master of a feast, lift not yourself up, but be among them as one of the rest; take diligent care for them, and so sit down.
2And when thou hast done all thy office, take thy place, that thou mayest be merry with them, and receive a crown for thy well ordering of the feast.
And when you have done all your office, take your place, that you may be merry with them, and receive a crown — the ruling state perfected and acknowledged — for your well ordering of the feast.
3Speak, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee, but with sound judgment; and hinder not musick.
Speak, you that are the elder, for it becomes you, but with sound judgment; and hinder not music.
4Pour not out words where there is a musician, and shew not forth wisdom out of time.
Pour not out words where there is a musician, and show not forth wisdom out of time.
5A concert of musick in a banquet of wine is as a signet of carbuncle set in gold.
A concert of music in a banquet of wine is as a signet of carbuncle set in gold.
6As a signet of an emerald set in a work of gold, so is the melody of musick with pleasant wine.
As a signet of an emerald set in a work of gold, so is the melody of music with pleasant wine.
7Speak, young man, if there be need of thee: and yet scarcely when thou art twice asked.
Speak, young man, if there be need of you: and yet scarcely when you are twice asked.
8Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in few words; be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue.
Let your speech be short, comprehending much in few words; be as one that knows and yet holds his tongue.
9If thou be among great men, make not thyself equal with them; and when ancient men are in place, use not many words.
If you are among great men, make not yourself equal with them; and when ancient men are in place, use not many words.
10Before the thunder goeth lightning; and before a shamefaced man shall go favour.
Before the thunder goes lightning; and before a shamefaced man shall go favour.
11Rise up betimes, and be not the last; but get thee home without delay.
Rise up betimes, and be not the last; but get you home without delay.
12There take thy pastime, and do what thou wilt: but sin not by proud speech.
There take your pastime, and do what you will: but sin not by proud speech.
13And for these things bless him that made thee, and hath replenished thee with his good things.
And for these things bless him that made you — increase him by acknowledgment in your heart — and who has replenished you with His good things.
14Whoso feareth the Lord will receive his discipline; and they that seek him early shall find favour.
Whoso fears the indwelling LORD will receive His discipline; and they that seek Him early shall find favour.
15He that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith: but the hypocrite will be offended thereat.
He that seeks the law shall be filled therewith: but the hypocrite will be offended thereat.
16They that fear the Lord shall find judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light.
They that fear the indwelling LORD shall find judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light — understanding burning steady.
17A sinful man will not be reproved, but findeth an excuse according to his will.
A sinful man will not be reproved, but finds an excuse according to his will.
18A man of counsel will be considerate; but a strange and proud man is not daunted with fear, even when of himself he hath done without counsel.
A man of counsel will be considerate; but a strange and proud man is not daunted with fear, even when of himself he has done without counsel.
19Do nothing without advice; and when thou hast once done, repent not.
Do nothing without advice; and when you have once done, repent not.
20Go not in a way wherein thou mayest fall, and stumble not among the stones.
Go not in a way wherein you may fall, and stumble not among the stones.
21Be not confident in a plain way.
Be not confident in a plain way — the open, level state of sense, where no obstacle warns you.
22And beware of thine own children.
And beware of your own children — the states your own mind has begotten.
23In every good work trust thy own soul; for this is the keeping of the commandments.
In every good work trust your own soul; for this is the keeping of the commandments.
24He that believeth in the Lord taketh heed to the commandment; and he that trusteth in him shall fare never the worse.
He that believes in the indwelling LORD takes heed to the commandment; and he that trusts in Him shall fare never the worse.
Companion volume to The Why Bible — the King James Apocrypha, rendered in its spiritual meanings. First final edition, October 2026.