Ecclesiasticus 6
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
1Instead of a friend become not an enemy; for [thereby] thou shalt inherit an ill name, shame, and reproach: even so shall a sinner that hath a double tongue.
Instead of a friend become not an enemy; for thereby you shall inherit an ill name, shame, and reproach: even so shall a sinner — a state in error — that has a double tongue.
2Extol not thyself in the counsel of thine own heart; that thy soul be not torn in pieces as a bull [straying alone.]
Extol not yourself in the counsel of your own heart; that your soul be not torn in pieces as a bull straying alone.
3Thou shalt eat up thy leaves, and lose thy fruit, and leave thyself as a dry tree.
You shall eat up your leaves, and lose your fruit — the visible results of your state — and leave yourself as a dry tree, a belief with no fruit in it.
4A wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and shall make him to be laughed to scorn of his enemies.
A wicked soul — a soul-state twisted from the order — shall destroy him that has it, and shall make him to be laughed to scorn by his enemies.
5Sweet language will multiply friends: and a fairspeaking tongue will increase kind greetings.
Sweet language will multiply friends — trusted companion faculties — and a fair-speaking tongue will increase kind greetings.
6Be in peace with many: nevertheless have but one counsellor of a thousand.
Be in peace with many: nevertheless have but one counsellor of a thousand.
7If thou wouldest get a friend, prove him first and be not hasty to credit him.
If you would get a friend, prove him first, and be not hasty to credit him.
8For some man is a friend for his own occasion, and will not abide in the day of thy trouble.
For some man is a friend for his own occasion, and will not abide in the day of your trouble.
9And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity, and strife will discover thy reproach.
And there is a friend who, being turned to enmity and strife, will discover your reproach.
10Again, some friend is a companion at the table, and will not continue in the day of thy affliction.
Again, some friend is a companion at the table — the place of feeding and fellowship — and will not continue in the day of your affliction.
11But in thy prosperity he will be as thyself, and will be bold over thy servants.
But in your prosperity he will be as yourself, and will be bold over your servants.
12If thou be brought low, he will be against thee, and will hide himself from thy face.
If you be brought low, he will be against you, and will hide himself from your face.
13Separate thyself from thine enemies, and take heed of thy friends.
Separate yourself from your enemies, and take heed of your friends.
14A faithfull friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure.
A faithful friend is a strong defence: and he that has found such a one has found a treasure.
15Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable.
Nothing countervails a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable.
16A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear the Lord shall find him.
A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear the indwelling LORD shall find him.
17Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright: for as he is, so shall his neighbour be also.
Whoever fears the LORD shall direct his friendship aright: for as he is, so shall his neighbour be also.
18My son, gather instruction from thy youth up: so shalt thou find wisdom till thine old age.
My son, gather instruction from your youth up: so shall you find Wisdom — the divine Love-Wisdom of the Source, ordering all things — till your old age.
19Come unto her as one that ploweth and soweth, and wait for her good fruits: for thou shalt not toil much in labouring about her, but thou shalt eat of her fruits right soon.
Come to her as one that ploughs and sows, and wait for her good fruits: for you shall not toil much in labouring about her, but you shall eat of her fruits right soon.
20She is very unpleasant to the unlearned: he that is without understanding will not remain with her.
She is very unpleasant to the unlearned: he that is without understanding will not remain with her.
21She will lie upon him as a mighty stone of trial; and he will cast her from him ere it be long.
She will lie upon him as a mighty stone of trial; and he will cast her from him ere it be long.
22For wisdom is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many.
For Wisdom is according to her name, and she is not manifest to many.
23Give ear, my son, receive my advice, and refuse not my counsel,
Give ear, my son, receive my advice, and refuse not my counsel,
24And put thy feet into her fetters, and thy neck into her chain.
And put your feet into her fetters, and your neck into her chain — yield to her discipline, though it binds at first.
25Bow down thy shoulder, and bear her, and be not grieved with her bonds.
Bow down your shoulder, and bear her, and be not grieved with her bonds.
26Come unto her with thy whole heart, and keep her ways with all thy power.
Come to her with your whole heart, and keep her ways with all your power.
27Search, and seek, and she shall be made known unto thee: and when thou hast got hold of her, let her not go.
Search, and seek, and she shall be made known to you: and when you have got hold of her, let her not go.
28For at the last thou shalt find her rest, and that shall be turned to thy joy.
For at last you shall find her rest, and that shall be turned to your joy.
29Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee, and her chains a robe of glory.
Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for you, and her chains a robe of glory.
30For there is a golden ornament upon her, and her bands are purple lace.
For there is a golden ornament upon her — pure good made visible — and her bands are purple lace.
31Thou shalt put her on as a robe of honour, and shalt put her about thee as a crown of joy.
You shall put her on as a robe of honour, and shall put her about you as a crown of joy — a ruling state perfected in delight.
32My son, if thou wilt, thou shalt be taught: and if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be prudent.
My son, if you will, you shall be taught: and if you will apply your mind, you shall be prudent.
33If thou love to hear, thou shalt receive understanding: and if thou bow thine ear, thou shalt be wise,
If you love to hear, you shall receive understanding: and if you bow your ear, you shall be wise,
34Stand in the multitude of the elders; and cleave unto him that is wise.
Stand in the multitude of the elders; and cleave to him that is wise.
35Be willing to hear every godly discourse; and let not the parables of understanding escape thee.
Be willing to hear every godly discourse; and let not the parables of understanding — the outer stories carrying inner truths — escape you.
36And if thou seest a man of understanding, get thee betimes unto him, and let thy foot wear the steps of his door.
And if you see a man of understanding, get yourself early to him, and let your foot wear the steps of his door.
37Let thy mind be upon the ordinances of the Lord and meditate continually in his commandments: he shall establish thine heart, and give thee wisdom at thine own desire.
Let your mind be upon the ordinances of the indwelling LORD, and meditate continually in His commandments: He shall establish your heart, and give you Wisdom at your own desire.
Companion volume to The Why Bible — the King James Apocrypha, rendered in its spiritual meanings. First final edition, October 2026.