Ecclesiasticus 34 - Revised Version with Apocrypha 1885, 1895(RV1895)

1Vain and false hopes are for a man void of understanding;

And dreams give wings to fools.

2 Cp. Eccles. 5.7, & 2 Esd. 10.36. See Job 20.8. As one that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind,

So is he that setteth his mind on dreams.

3The vision of dreams is as this thing against that,

Cp. Prov. 27.19. The likeness of a face over against a face.

4 Job 14.4. Of an unclean thing what shall be cleansed?

And of that which is false what shall be true?

5 Cp. Jer. 14.14 & 23.25. Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain:

And the heart fancieth, as a woman's in travail.

6 See Num. 12.6. If they be not sent from the Most High in thy visitation,

Give not thy heart unto them.

7For dreams have led many astray:

And they have failed by putting their hope in them.

8Without lying shall the law be accomplished;

And wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth.

9A well-instructed man knoweth many things;

And ch. 36.20.he that hath much experience will declare understanding.

10He that hath no experience knoweth few things:

But Cp. ch. 39.4.he that hath wandered shall increase his skill.

11 Cp. ch. 51.13. In my wandering I have seen many things;

And more than my words is my understanding.

12 See ch. 51.2-12. Ofttimes was I in danger even unto death;

And I was preserved because of these things.

13 Cp. Is. 38.16. The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live;

For their hope is upon him that saveth them.

14 Cp. Ps. 112.1,7, & 1 Pet. 3.14. Whoso feareth the Lord shall not be afraid, and shall not play the coward;

For See Ps. 71.5.he is his hope.

15Blessed is the soul of him that feareth the Lord:

To whom doth he give heed? and who is his stay?

16 See Ps. 33.18. The eyes of the Lord are upon them that love him,

See Ps. 14.6. A mighty protection and strong stay,

See ch. 14.27. A cover from the hot blast, and a cover from the noonday,

Cp. Prov. 3.26. A guard from stumbling, and a succour from falling.

17He raiseth up the soul, and See Ps. 13.3.enlighteneth the eyes:

He giveth healing, life, and blessing.

18 Prov. 21.27. Is. 61.8 (mg.). He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is made in mockery;

And the mockeries of wicked men are not well-pleasing.

19 Prov. 15.8. The Most High hath no pleasure in the offerings of the ungodly;

See 1 Sam. 15.22. Neither is he pacified for sins by the multitude of sacrifices.

20 As one that killeth the son before his father's eyes

Is Cp. 2 Sam. 12.3,4.he that bringeth a sacrifice from the goods of the poor.

21The bread of the needy is the life of the poor:

He that depriveth him thereof is a man of blood.

22 As one that slayeth his neighbour is Cp. ch. 4.1.he that taketh away his living;

And ch. 7.20., Tob. 4.14. See Lev. 19.13. as a shedder of blood is he that depriveth a hireling of his hire.

23One building, and another pulling down,

What profit have they had but toil?

24One praying, and another cursing,

Whose voice will the Lord listen to?

25 See Num. 19.11,12. He that washeth himself after touching a dead body, and toucheth it again,

What profit hath he in his washing?

26Even so a man Cp. Is. 58.3.fasting for his sins,

Cp. Mat. 12.45. See 2 Pet. 2.20-22. And going again, and doing the same;

Who will listen to his prayer?

And what profit hath he in his humiliation?