Ecclesiasticus 34

Dreams Have Deceived Many

1The hopes of a man void of understanding are vain and false: and dreams lift up fools.

2Whoso regardeth dreams is like him that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth 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.

4Of an unclean thing what can be cleansed? and from that thing which is false what truth can come?[#Job 14.4.]

5Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain: and the heart fancieth, as a woman's heart in travail.

6If they be not sent from the most High in thy visitation, set not thy heart upon them.[#Num 12.6; Job 33.14-18.]

7For 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.

Traveling Gives Experience

9A man that hath traveled knoweth many things; and he that hath much experience will declare wisdom.

10He that hath no experience knoweth little: but he that hath traveled is full of prudence.

11When I traveled, 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.

The Lord Protects Those Who Fear Him

13The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live; for their hope is in him that saveth them.

14Whoso feareth the Lord shall not fear nor be afraid; for he is his hope.[#Ps 27.1.]

15Blessed is the soul of him that feareth the Lord: to whom doth 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 defense from heat, and a cover from the sun at noon, a preservation from stumbling, and an help from falling.[#Ps 33.18; 34.15; Ecclus 15.19; Ps 61.2,3; 91.1,2; Isa 4.6; Ps 121.6.]

17He raiseth up the soul, and lighteneth the eyes: he giveth health, life, and blessing.

Unacceptable Sacrifices

18He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering 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.[#Prov 21.27; Isa 1.11,15.]

20Whoso bringeth an offering of the goods of the poor doeth as one that killeth 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.

22He that taketh away his neighbor's living slayeth him; and he that defraudeth the laborer of his hire is a bloodshedder.

23When one buildeth, and another pulleth down, what profit have they then but labor?

24When one prayeth, and another curseth, whose voice will the Lord hear?

25He that washeth himself after the touching of a dead body, if he touch it again, what availeth his washing?[#Num 19.11,12.]

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?[#2 Pet 2.20-22.]

King James Version 1611, spelling, punctuation and text formatting modernized by ABS in 1962; typesetting © 2010 American Bible Society.
Published by: American Bible Society