The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Ecclesiaticus 34
1 Vain and false hopes are for a man void of
understanding. Dreams give wings to fools.
2 As one who grasps at a shadow and follows after the wind,
so is he who sets his mind on dreams.
3 The vision of dreams is a reflection,
the likeness of a face near a face.
4 From an unclean thing what can be
cleansed? From that which is false
what can be true?
5 Divinations, and soothsayings, and
dreams, are vain. The heart has fantasies
like a woman in labor.
6 Ifthey are not sentin a visitation from the
Most High, don’t give your heart to them.
7 For dreams have led many astray.
They have failed by putting their hope
in them.
8 Without lying the law will be fulfilled.
Wisdom is complete in a faithful mouth.
9 A well-instructed man knows many
things. He who has much experience will
declare understanding.
10 He who has no experience knows few
things. But he who has traveled increases
cleverness.
11 I have seen many things in my travels.
My understanding is more than my words.
12 I was often in danger even to death.
I was preserved because ofthese experiences.
13 The spirit ofthose who fear the Lord will
live, for their hope is in him who saves
them.
14 Whoever fears the Lord won’t be afraid,
and won’t be a coward, for he is his hope.
15 Blessed is the soul of him who fears the
Lord. To whom does he give heed? Who is
his support?
16 The eyes of the Lord are on those who
love him, a mighty protection and strong support,
a cover from the hot blast, a shade
from the noonday sun, a guard from stumbling,
and a help from falling.
17 He raises up the soul, and enlightens the
eyes. He gives health, life, and blessing.
18 He who sacrifices a thing wrongfully gotten,
his offering is made in mockery.
The mockeries of wicked men are not
acceptable.
19 The Most High has no pleasure in the
offerings of the ungodly, Neither is he
pacified for sins by the multitude of sacrifices.
20 Like one who kills a son before his father’s eyes
is he who brings a sacrifice from the goods of the poor.
21 The bread of the needy is the life of the
poor. He who deprives him of it is a man of blood.
22 Like one who murders his neighbor is he
who takes away his living. Like a shedder of
blood is he who deprives a hireling of his hire.
23 When one builds, and another pulls
down, what profit do they have but toil?
24 When one prays, and another curses,
whose voice will the Lord listen to?
25 He who washes himself after touching a
dead body, and touches it again,
what does he gain by his washing?
26 Even so a man fasting for his sins,
and going again, and doing the same,
who will listen to his prayer? What profit does he have in his humiliation?