Ecclesiasticus 34
34
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?
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Ecclesiasticus 34: RV1895
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historical text maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society