Proverbs 6 in the early church
144 passages quote, allude to, or echo Proverbs 6, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.
Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 13 · 17 · 19 · 20 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 25 · 26 · 27 · 28 · 29 · 30 · 31 · 32 · 33 · 34
Proverbs 6:1
My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge with a stranger,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:1 | Miscellanies 2.15.70 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 6:1 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 175 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 6:1 | On Tobit 90 · Ambrose | allusion, low confidence | ca. 380-390 |
Proverbs 6:2
if you have been trapped by the words of your lips, ensnared by the words of your mouth,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:2 | Miscellanies 2.15.70 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 6:2 | Apostolic Constitutions 2.42.5 · Anonymous | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 6:2 | Apostolic Constitutions 7.4.2 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 6:2 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 38.5.3 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Prov 6:2 | Tractates on Matthew 14.6 · Chromatius of Aquileia | quotation, high confidence | ca. 388–407 |
Proverbs 6:3
then do this, my son, to free yourself, for you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go, humble yourself, and press your plea with your neighbor.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:3 | On Tobit 89 · Ambrose | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 380-390 |
| Prov 6:3 | Liber Orsiesii 9 · Orsiesius | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 380-390 |
Proverbs 6:4
Allow no sleep to your eyes or slumber to your eyelids.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:4 | Fragments on Job, column 83 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 6:4 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 175 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 6:4 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 177 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 6:4 | PG 12:1127 (Ps 3 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 6:4 | PG 12:1533 (Ps 75–76 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 6:4 | PG 12:1589 (Ps 118 LXX) · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 6:4 | Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 93 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century) |
| Prov 6:4–5 | Letter 42 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 357–378 |
| Prov 6:4–5 | Letter 119.7 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Prov 6:4–5 | Letter 119.10 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Prov 6:4 | Commentary on Jeremiah 5.64 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 414-419 |
Proverbs 6:5
Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:5 | Fragments on Job, column 83 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 6:5 | PG 12:1127 (Ps 3 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 6:5 | Homilies on Psalms 36-38 4.2 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Prov 6:5 | Commentary on the Song of Songs 3.221 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410) |
| Prov 6:5 | Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 93 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century) |
| Prov 6:5 | Homilies 3.1 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| Prov 6:5 | Hexameron (Exameron) 6.48 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-390 |
Proverbs 6:6
Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise.
Proverbs 6:7
Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:7 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 177 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 6:7 | PG 12:1599 (Ps 118 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 6:8
it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:8 | Miscellanies 1.6.33 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 6:8 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 177 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 6:8 | PG 12:1599 (Ps 118 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 6:8 | Homily on Isaiah 2 · Origen | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 235–250 |
| Prov 6:8 | Homilies on Numbers 27.12 · Origen | allusion, low confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Prov 6:8 | Commentary on the Song of Songs 0.81 · Origen | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410) |
| Prov 6:8 | Prophetic Extracts 1.1 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, medium confidence | before 325 (probably ca. 310–320) |
| Prov 6:8 | Catechetical Lecture 9.8 · Cyril of Jerusalem | quotation, high confidence | ca. 350 |
| Prov 6:8 | Hexaemeron 8.4 · Basil of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | ca. 370 |
| Prov 6:8 | Letter 125.11 · Jerome | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Prov 6:8 | Apostolic Constitutions 2.63.3 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 6:8 | Exposition of Psalm 118 14.24.5 · Ambrose | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Prov 6:8 | Homily 9 · Gregory of Nyssa | quotation, high confidence | ca. 390–394 |
| Prov 6:8 | Homily 14 · Gregory of Nyssa | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 390–394 |
| Prov 6:8 | Letters 9.2 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Prov 6:8 | Formulae of Spiritual Understanding 4 · Eucherius of Lyon | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 420-430 |
Proverbs 6:9
How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep?
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:9 | Exhortation to the Greeks 8.80 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| Prov 6:9 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 177 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 6:9 | Oration 40.21 · Gregory of Nazianzus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Prov 6:9–11 | Apostolic Constitutions 2.63.4 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 6:9–11 | Chapter 2 · Nicetas, bishop of Remesiana | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380–414 |
Proverbs 6:10
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:10 | Letters 9.2 · Paulinus of Nola | quotation, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
Proverbs 6:11
and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:11 | Exhortation to the Greeks 8.80 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| Prov 6:11 | Oration 40.21 · Gregory of Nazianzus | allusion, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Prov 6:11 | Letters 9.2 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Prov 6:11 | Letters 21.5 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
Proverbs 6:13
winking his eyes, speaking with his feet, and pointing with his fingers.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:13 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 177 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 6:13–14 | Commentary on John 32.275 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 230–248 |
Proverbs 6:17
haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:17 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 177 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 6:17–18 | On Saint Athanasius 1.26 · Lucifer of Cagliari | quotation, high confidence | ca. 356–361 |
| Prov 6:17–18 | Apology against Rufinus 3.43 · Jerome | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 401–402 |
Proverbs 6:19
a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:19 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 179 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 6:19 | Demonstration 14.37 · Aphrahat | allusion, medium confidence | 337-345 |
Proverbs 6:20
My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:20 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 179 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 6:22
When you walk, they will guide you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:22 | Didascalia 6.21 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | first half of the third century |
| Prov 6:22 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 179 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 6:22 | Apostolic Constitutions 6.27.1 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Prov 6:22 | Homily 1 · Gregory of Nyssa | quotation, high confidence | ca. 390–394 |
Proverbs 6:23
For this commandment is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way to life,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:23 | Miscellanies 1.29.181 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 6:23 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 179 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 6:23 | Oration 40.6 · Gregory of Nazianzus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Prov 6:23 | Tractates on Matthew 5.4 · Chromatius of Aquileia | quotation, high confidence | ca. 388–407 |
| Prov 6:23 | Tractates 8 · Gaudentius of Brescia | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 397-410 |
Proverbs 6:24
to keep you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:24 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 159 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 6:25
Do not lust in your heart for her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes.
Proverbs 6:26
For the levy of the prostitute is poverty, and the adulteress preys upon your very life.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:26 | On Proverbs, fragment 10 · Hippolytus of Rome | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 200–235 |
| Prov 6:26 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 179 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 6:26 | On the Singleness of Clerics 4 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| Prov 6:26 | Oration 8.9 · Gregory of Nazianzus | allusion, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Prov 6:26 | Second Apology of David 12 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 384-397 |
| Prov 6:26 | Sermon 37.20 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Prov 6:26 | City of God 2.5 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | 413–426 |
Proverbs 6:27
Can a man embrace fire and his clothes not be burned?
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:27 | To Autolycus 3.13 · Theophilus of Antioch | quotation, high confidence | ca. 180–185 |
| Prov 6:27–28 | On Proverbs, fragment 13 · Hippolytus of Rome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 200–235 |
| Prov 6:27 | On the Singleness of Clerics 2 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| Prov 6:27 | Catechetical Lecture 2.1 · Cyril of Jerusalem | quotation, high confidence | ca. 350 |
| Prov 6:27 | Letter 22.14 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Prov 6:27 | Second Apology of David 13 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 384-397 |
| Prov 6:27 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 1.27.4 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Prov 6:27 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 1.27.5 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Prov 6:27–28 | Against Jovinianus 1.7 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | 393 |
| Prov 6:27–28 | Commonitorium 1.301–330 · Orientius of Auch | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 420-450 |
Proverbs 6:28
Can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet?
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:28 | To Autolycus 3.13 · Theophilus of Antioch | quotation, high confidence | ca. 180–185 |
| Prov 6:28 | Letter 22.14 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Prov 6:28 | Second Apology of David 13 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 384-397 |
Proverbs 6:29
So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:29 | To Autolycus 3.13 · Theophilus of Antioch | quotation, high confidence | ca. 180–185 |
| Prov 6:29 | On the Singleness of Clerics 2 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | 3rd cent. (disputed) |
Proverbs 6:30
Men do not despise the thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:30 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 179 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 6:30 | Question 124, section 2 · Ambrosiaster | allusion, low confidence | ca. 370–384 |
| Prov 6:30 | Homilies on Matthew 75.5 · John Chrysostom | quotation, high confidence | ca. 390 |
| Prov 6:30 | On the Governance of God 4.14 · Salvian of Marseilles | quotation, high confidence | ca. 439-451 |
Proverbs 6:31
Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:31 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 179 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Proverbs 6:32
He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:32 | On Modesty 18 · Tertullian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 210–220 |
| Prov 6:32 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 179 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 6:32 | Part 1, chapter 36 · Quodvultdeus of Carthage | allusion, high confidence | ca. 445-450 |
Proverbs 6:33
Wounds and dishonor will befall him, and his reproach will never be wiped away.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:33 | On Modesty 18 · Tertullian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 210–220 |
Proverbs 6:34
For jealousy enrages a husband, and he will show no mercy in the day of vengeance.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 6:34 | On Modesty 18 · Tertullian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 210–220 |
| Prov 6:34 | Homilies on Matthew 4.2 · John Chrysostom | quotation, high confidence | ca. 390 |