Testimonia — Early Christian Bible Commentary
Proverbs 9 · World English Bible
1Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.
2She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
3She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:
4“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
5“Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!
6Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”
7One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
8Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise person, and he will love you.
9Instruct a wise person, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will increase in learning.
10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
12If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
13The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.
14She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,
16“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
17“Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
World English Bible · World English Bible; source eBible.org.
Notes on Proverbs 9
1885 (historical English edition; transcription printing date uncertain) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)
Prov. i. 7, Prov. ix. 10.
Editorial footnote · Against Heresies: Book III, Chapter uncertain (transcription heading: Chapter XXIII), editorial note cite_note-456 · Original source
1887 (historical English edition; transcription printing date uncertain) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)
Prov. ix. 8
Editorial footnote · On the Holy Trinity, Chapter 1.—What the Wisdom is of Which We are Here to Treat. Whence the Name of Philosopher Arose. What Has Been Already Said Concerning the Distinction of Knowledge and Wisdom.; original source section: Chapter 1, editorial note cite_note-11 · Original source
1895 (historical English edition; transcription printing date uncertain) | Historical editor/translator (individual note author unspecified)
Prov. ix. 9.
Editorial footnote · The Letters, Chapter uncertain; original source section: Letter 159, editorial note cite_note-8 · Original source
Date uncertain | Augustine of Hippo
2. But if to dispute of wisdom belongs to wise men, what shall we do? Shall we dare indeed to profess wisdom, lest it should be mere impudence for ourselves to dispute about it? Shall we not be alarmed by the example of Pythagoras?—who dared not profess to be a wise man, but answered that he was a philosopher, i.e., a lover of wisdom; whence arose the name, that became thenceforth so much the popular name, that no matter how great the learning wherein any one excelled, either in his own opinion or that of others, in things pertaining to wisdom, he was still called nothing more than philosopher. Or was it for this reason that no one, even of such as these, dared to profess himself a wise man,—because they imagined that a wise man was one without sin? But our Scriptures do not say this, which say, “Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.” For doubtless he who thinks a man ought to be rebuked, judges him to have sin. However, for my part, I dare not profess myself a wise man even in this sense; it is enough for me to assume, what they themselves cannot deny, that to dispute of wisdom belongs also to the philosopher, i.e., the lover of wisdom. For they have not given over so disputing who have professed to be lovers of wisdom rather than wise men.
Source passage · edition’s verse reference · On the Holy Trinity, Chapter 1.—What the Wisdom is of Which We are Here to Treat. Whence the Name of Philosopher Arose. What Has Been Already Said Concerning the Distinction of Knowledge and Wisdom.; original source section: Chapter 1, source paragraph 3 · Original source
Date uncertain | Basil of Caesarea (historical collection attribution)
Thus I have investigated this point to the best of my ability, though I have passed by matters therein that might be investigated, for fear of prolonging my observations beyond the limits of my letter. But for your intelligence little seeds are enough. “Give instruction,” it is said, “to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser.” “If a skilful man hear a wise word he will commend it, and add unto it.”
Source passage · edition’s verse reference · The Letters, Chapter uncertain; original source section: Letter 260, source paragraph 9 · Original source