Testimonia — Early Christian Bible Commentary

Enter a reference such as John 1:1, then press Enter.

Proverbs 3

1My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,

2for they will add to you length of days, years of life, and peace.

3Don’t let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.

4So you will find favor, and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

5Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding.

6In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

7Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

8It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.

9Honor the LORD with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase;

10so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

11My son, don’t despise the LORD’s discipline, neither be weary of his correction;

12for whom the LORD loves, he corrects, even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.

13Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding.

14For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold.

15She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.

16Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor.

17Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace.

18She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.

19By wisdom the LORD founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens.

20By his knowledge, the depths were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew.

21My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion,

22so they will be life to your soul, and grace for your neck.

23Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won’t stumble.

24When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.

25Don’t be afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes;

26for the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being taken.

27Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.

28Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it to you,” when you have it by you.

29Don’t devise evil against your neighbor, since he dwells securely by you.

30Don’t strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm.

31Don’t envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways.

32For the perverse is an abomination to the LORD, but his friendship is with the upright.

33The LORD’s curse is in the house of the wicked, but he blesses the habitation of the righteous.

34Surely he mocks the mockers, but he gives grace to the humble.

35The wise will inherit glory, but shame will be the promotion of fools.

Early Christian commentary

Late 1st century AD (traditionally c. 95–100) | Clement of Rome

Seeing, therefore, that we are the portion of the Holy One, let us do all those things which pertain to holiness, avoiding all evil-speaking, all abominable and impure embraces, together with all drunkenness, seeking after change, all abominable lusts, detestable adultery, and execrable pride. “For God,” saith [the Scripture], “resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.” Let us cleave, then, to those to whom grace has been given by God. Let us clothe ourselves with concord and humility, ever exercising self-control, standing far off from all whispering and evil-speaking, being justified by our works, and not our words. For [the Scripture] saith, “He that speaketh much, shall also hear much in answer. And does he that is ready in speech deem himself righteous? Blessed is he that is born of woman, who liveth but a short time: be not given to much speaking.” Let our praise be in God, and not of ourselves; for God hateth those that commend themselves. Let testimony to our good deeds be borne by others, as it was in the case of our righteous forefathers. Boldness, and arrogance, and audacity belong to those that are accursed of God; but moderation, humility, and meekness to such as are blessed by Him.

Commentary · First Epistle to the Corinthians, Chapter XXX · Original source · The Writings of the Apostolic Fathers (T. & T. Clark, 1870), edited and translated by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson; independent electronic transcription: David King and the Online Proofreading Team, Project Gutenberg ebook 77576. · Licence · Source revision · Whitespace normalized; source pagination and footnote reference markers removed. English wording unchanged.

Late 1st century AD (traditionally c. 95–100) | Clement of Rome

Let us then also pray for those who have fallen into any sin, that meekness and humility may be given to them, so that they may submit, not unto us, but to the will of God. For in this way they shall secure a fruitful and perfect remembrance from us, with sympathy for them, both in our prayers to God, and our mention of them to the saints. Let us receive correction, beloved, on account of which no one should feel displeased. Those exhortations by which we admonish one another are both good [in themselves], and highly profitable, for they tend to unite us to the will of God. For thus saith the holy Word: “The Lord hath severely chastened me, yet hath not given me over to death.” “For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.” “The righteous,” saith it, “shall chasten me in mercy, and reprove me; but let not the oil of sinners make fat my head.” And again he saith, “Blessed is the man whom the Lord reproveth, and reject not thou the warning of the Almighty. For He causes sorrow, and again restores [to gladness]; He woundeth, and His hands make whole. He shall deliver thee in six troubles, yea, in the seventh no evil shall touch thee. In famine He shall rescue thee from death, and in war He shall free thee from the power of the sword. From the scourge of the tongue will He hide thee, and thou shalt not fear when evil cometh. Thou shalt laugh at the unrighteous and the wicked, and shalt not be afraid of the beasts of the field. For the wild beasts shall be at peace with thee: then shalt thou know that thy house shall be in peace, and the habitation of thy tabernacle shall not fail. Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thy children like the grass of the field. And thou shalt come to the grave like ripened corn which is reaped in its season, or like a heap of the threshing-floor which is gathered together at the proper time.” Ye see, beloved, that protection is afforded to those that are chastened of the Lord; for since God is good, He corrects us, that we may be admonished by His holy chastisement.

Commentary · First Epistle to the Corinthians, Chapter LVI · Original source · The Writings of the Apostolic Fathers (T. & T. Clark, 1870), edited and translated by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson; independent electronic transcription: David King and the Online Proofreading Team, Project Gutenberg ebook 77576. · Licence · Source revision · Whitespace normalized; source pagination and footnote reference markers removed. English wording unchanged.

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg™ License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook. Full Project Gutenberg License · Complete original ebook