Ecclesiasticus 41

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

1O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that liveth at rest in his possessions, unto the man that hath nothing to vex him, and that hath prosperity in all things: yea, unto him that is yet able to receive meat!

O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that lives at rest in his possessions, unto the man that has nothing to vex him, and that has prosperity in all things: yea, unto him that is yet able to receive meat — still able to take in nourishment!

2O death, acceptable is thy sentence unto the needy, and unto him whose strength faileth, that is now in the last age, and is vexed with all things, and to him that despaireth, and hath lost patience!

O death, acceptable is thy sentence unto the needy, and unto him whose strength fails, that is now in the last age, and is vexed with all things, and to him that despairs, and has lost patience!

3Fear not the sentence of death, remember them that have been before thee, and that come after; for this is the sentence of the Lord over all flesh.

Fear not the sentence of death, remember them that have been before thee, and that come after; for this is the sentence of the indwelling LORD over all flesh.

4And why art thou against the pleasure of the most High? there is no inquisition in the grave, whether thou have lived ten, or an hundred, or a thousand years.

And why art thou against the pleasure of the most High? there is no inquisition in the grave — the shadow-state asks no reckoning of years — whether thou have lived ten, or an hundred, or a thousand years.

5The children of sinners are abominable children, and they that are conversant in the dwelling of the ungodly.

The children of sinners are abominable children — states begotten of error, abhorrent to the order — and they that are conversant in the dwelling of the ungodly.

6The inheritance of sinners’ children shall perish, and their posterity shall have a perpetual reproach.

The inheritance of sinners' children shall perish, and their posterity shall have a perpetual reproach — the order of states begetting the next in error carries its reproach with it.

7The children will complain of an ungodly father, because they shall be reproached for his sake.

The children will complain of an ungodly father, because they shall be reproached for his sake.

8Woe be unto you, ungodly men, which have forsaken the law of the most high God! for if ye increase, it shall be to your destruction:

Woe be unto you, ungodly men, which have forsaken the law of the most high Source! for if ye increase, it shall be to your destruction:

9And if ye be born, ye shall be born to a curse: and if ye die, a curse shall be your portion.

And if ye be born, ye shall be born to a curse: and if ye die, a curse shall be your portion — the state chosen carries its consequence from its begetting to its end.

10All that are of the earth shall turn to earth again: so the ungodly shall go from a curse to destruction.

All that are of the earth shall turn to earth again: so the ungodly shall go from a curse to destruction — the outer returning to the outer, the disordered state to the end its disorder chose.

11The mourning of men is about their bodies: but an ill name of sinners shall be blotted out.

The mourning of men is about their bodies: but an ill name of sinners shall be blotted out.

12Have regard to thy name; for that shall continue with thee above a thousand great treasures of gold.

Have regard to thy name; for that shall continue with thee above a thousand great treasures of gold.

13A good life hath but few days: but a good name endureth for ever.

A good life has but few days: but a good name endures for ever.

14My children, keep discipline in peace: for wisdom that is hid, and a treasure that is not seen, what profit is in them both?

My children, keep discipline in peace — rest within the order: for wisdom that is hid, and a treasure that is not seen, what profit is in them both?

15A man that hideth his foolishness is better than a man that hideth his wisdom.

A man that hides his foolishness is better than a man that hides his wisdom.

16Therefore be shamefaced according to my word: for it is not good to retain all shamefacedness; neither is it altogether approved in every thing.

Therefore be shamefaced according to my word: for it is not good to retain all shamefacedness; neither is it altogether approved in every thing — shame itself is a faculty to be ordered, not enthroned.

17Be ashamed of whoredom before father and mother: and of a lie before a prince and a mighty man;

Be ashamed of whoredom before father and mother: and of a lie before a prince and a mighty man — before the ruling states of the consciousness;

18Of an offence before a judge and ruler; of iniquity before a congregation and people; of unjust dealing before thy partner and friend;

Of an offence before a judge and ruler; of iniquity before a congregation and people; of unjust dealing before thy partner and friend;

19And of theft in regard of the place where thou sojournest, and in regard of the truth of God and his covenant; and to lean with thine elbow upon the meat; and of scorning to give and take;

And of theft in regard of the place where thou sojournest, and in regard of the truth of the Source and his covenant — the law of relationship; and to lean with thine elbow upon the meat; and of scorning to give and take;

20And of silence before them that salute thee; and to look upon an harlot;

And of silence before them that salute thee; and to look upon an harlot — the affection sold to sense;

21And to turn away thy face from thy kinsman; or to take away a portion or a gift; or to gaze upon another man’s wife.

And to turn away thy face — thy presence — from thy kinsman; or to take away a portion or a gift; or to gaze upon another man's wife.

22Or to be overbusy with his maid, and come not near her bed; or of upbraiding speeches before friends; and after thou hast given, upbraid not;

Or to be overbusy with his maid, and come not near her bed; or of upbraiding speeches before friends; and after thou hast given, upbraid not;

23Or of iterating and speaking again that which thou hast heard; and of revealing of secrets.

Or of iterating and speaking again that which thou hast heard; and of revealing of secrets.

24So shalt thou be truly shamefaced and find favour before all men.

So shalt thou be truly shamefaced and find favour before all men.

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