Ecclesiasticus 34
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
1The hopes of a man void of understanding are vain and false: and dreams lift up fools.
The hopes of a man void of understanding are vain and false: and dreams — messages of the deeper mind taken without discernment — lift up fools.
2Whoso regardeth dreams is like him that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind.
Whoso regards dreams uncritically is like him that catches at a shadow, and follows after the wind.
3The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another, even as the likeness of a face to a face.
The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another, even as the likeness of a face to a face.
4Of an unclean thing what can be cleansed? and from that thing which is false what truth can come?
Of an unclean thing what can be cleansed? and from that thing which is false what truth can come?
5Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain: and the heart fancieth, as a woman’s heart in travail.
Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain: and the heart fancies, as a woman's heart in travail — the affection-faculty in the labour of a state not yet born.
6If they be not sent from the most High in thy visitation, set not thy heart upon them.
If they be not sent from the most High in your visitation, set not your heart upon them.
7For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put their trust in them.
For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put their trust in them.
8The law shall be found perfect without lies: and wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth.
The law shall be found perfect without lies: and Wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth.
9A man that hath travelled knoweth many things; and he that hath much experience will declare wisdom.
A man that has travelled knows many things; and he that has much experience will declare Wisdom.
10He that hath no experience knoweth little: but he that hath travelled is full of prudence.
He that has no experience knows little: but he that has travelled is full of prudence.
11When I travelled, I saw many things; and I understand more than I can express.
When I travelled, I saw many things; and I understand more than I can express.
12I was ofttimes in danger of death: yet I was delivered because of these things.
I was ofttimes in danger of the death-state: yet I was delivered because of these things.
13The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live; for their hope is in him that saveth them.
The Breath of those that fear the indwelling LORD shall live; for their hope is in Him that saves them.
14Whoso feareth the Lord shall not fear nor be afraid; for he is his hope.
Whoso fears the indwelling LORD shall not fear nor be afraid; for He is his hope.
15Blessed is the soul of him that feareth the Lord: to whom doth he look? and who is his strength?
Blessed is the soul of him that fears the indwelling LORD: to whom does he look? and who is his strength?
16For the eyes of the Lord are upon them that love him, he is their mighty protection and strong stay, a defence from heat, and a cover from the sun at noon, a preservation from stumbling, and an help from falling.
For the eyes of the indwelling LORD are upon them that love Him, He is their mighty protection and strong stay, a defence from heat, and a cover from the sun at noon, a preservation from stumbling, and a help from falling.
17He raiseth up the soul, and lighteneth the eyes: he giveth health, life, and blessing.
He raises up the soul, and lightens the eyes: He gives health, life, and blessing — divine increase by His law.
18He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is ridiculous; and the gifts of unjust men are not accepted.
He that sacrifices of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering — his yielding of a faculty — is ridiculous; and the gifts of unjust men are not accepted.
19The most High is not pleased with the offerings of the wicked; neither is he pacified for sin by the multitude of sacrifices.
The most High is not pleased with the offerings of the wicked; neither is He pacified for error by the multitude of sacrifices.
20Whoso bringeth an offering of the goods of the poor doeth as one that killeth the son before his father’s eyes.
Whoso brings an offering of the goods of the poor does as one that kills the son before his father's eyes.
21The bread of the needy is their life: he that defraudeth him thereof is a man of blood.
The bread of the needy is their life: he that defrauds him thereof is a man of blood — of a life taken, not given.
22He that taketh away his neighbour’s living slayeth him; and he that defraudeth the labourer of his hire is a bloodshedder.
He that takes away his neighbour's living slays him; and he that defrauds the labourer of his hire is a bloodshedder.
23When one buildeth, and another pulleth down, what profit have they then but labour?
When one builds, and another pulls down, what profit have they then but labour?
24When one prayeth, and another curseth, whose voice will the Lord hear?
When one prays, and another curses, whose voice will the indwelling LORD hear?
25He that washeth himself after the touching of a dead body, if he touch it again, what availeth his washing?
He that washes himself after the touching of a dead body, if he touches it again, what avails his washing?
26So is it with a man that fasteth for his sins, and goeth again, and doeth the same: who will hear his prayer? or what doth his humbling profit him?
So is it with a man that fasts for his errors, and goes again, and does the same: who will hear his prayer? or what does his humbling profit him?
Companion volume to The Why Bible — the King James Apocrypha, rendered in its spiritual meanings. First final edition, October 2026.