Proverbs 5 in the early church

144 passages quote, allude to, or echo Proverbs 5, 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 · 8 · 9 · 11 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 22

Proverbs 5:1

My son, pay attention to my wisdom; incline your ear to my insight,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 5:1Didascalia 1.7 (Latin) · Anonymousquotation, high confidencefirst half of the third century
Prov 5:1On Ecclesiastical Theology 3.3.34 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, medium confidenceca. 337–339

Proverbs 5:2

that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 5:2Homilies on Ezekiel 8.2 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Jerome's translation in the 380s)
Prov 5:2–4Apostolic Constitutions 1.7.8 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Prov 5:2On Grace and Free Will 2 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, medium confidenceca. 426

Proverbs 5:3

Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her speech is smoother than oil,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 5:3The Instructor 3.11.68 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 190–200
Prov 5:3Miscellanies 1.5.29 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Prov 5:3Fragments on Proverbs, column 157 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 5:3Fragments on Proverbs, column 173 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 5:3Fragments on Proverbs, column 211 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 5:3PG 12:1577 (Ps 117 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 5:3Homilies on Ezekiel 8.2 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Jerome's translation in the 380s)
Prov 5:3–4Demonstration 14.41 · Aphrahatallusion, medium confidence337-345
Prov 5:3Catechetical Lecture 4.2 · Cyril of Jerusalemquotation, high confidenceca. 350
Prov 5:3–5On Not Agreeing with Heretics 6 · Lucifer of Cagliariquotation, high confidenceca. 356–361
Prov 5:3–4Letters 46, 47 · Basil of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 357–378
Prov 5:3Homilies 12.14 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 363-378
Prov 5:3Letter 78.7 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Prov 5:3Letter 78.41 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Prov 5:3–4Letter 128.2 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Prov 5:3–4On Cain and Abel 1.15 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 375-378
Prov 5:3Homilies on Matthew 73.4 · John Chrysostomquotation, high confidenceca. 390
Prov 5:3–4On 1 Cor 7:2, section 5 · John Chrysostomquotation, high confidenceca. 390
Prov 5:3–4Homily 12 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 390–394
Prov 5:3–4Sermon 339.6 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Prov 5:3–4Tractates 15 · Gaudentius of Bresciaquotation, high confidenceca. 397-410

Proverbs 5:4

in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a double-edged sword.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 5:4The Instructor 3.11.68 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 190–200
Prov 5:4Fragments on Proverbs, column 157 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 5:4Fragments on Proverbs, column 211 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 5:4Homilies on Joshua 14.2 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Prov 5:4Question 115, section 30 · Ambrosiasterecho, low confidenceca. 370–384
Prov 5:4Letter 78.7 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Prov 5:4Homilies on Matthew 73.4 · John Chrysostomquotation, high confidenceca. 390
Prov 5:4Explanation of Twelve Psalms 37.51.5 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 387-397

Proverbs 5:5

Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to Sheol.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 5:5The Instructor 3.11.68 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 190–200
Prov 5:5The Instructor 3.11.69 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 190–200
Prov 5:5Miscellanies 1.5.29 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203

Proverbs 5:6

She does not consider the path of life; she does not know that her ways are unstable.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 5:6The Instructor 3.11.69 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 190–200
Prov 5:6Fragments on Proverbs, column 157 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 5:8

Keep your path far from her; do not go near the door of her house,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 5:8Miscellanies 1.5.29 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Prov 5:8Homilies on Numbers 20.3 · Origenallusion, low confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Prov 5:8Homilies on the Psalms 1.4 · Basil of Caesareaallusion, low confidenceca. 360-378
Prov 5:8On Fleeing the World 56 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 387-391

Proverbs 5:9

lest you concede your vigor to others, and your years to one who is cruel;

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 5:9Miscellanies 1.5.29 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Prov 5:9Fragments on Proverbs, column 173 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 5:11

At the end of your life you will groan when your flesh and your body are spent,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 5:11Miscellanies 1.5.29 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Prov 5:11Fragments on Proverbs, column 157 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 5:11Fragments on Proverbs, column 173 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 5:11Letter 341 · Gregory of Nazianzusquotation, high confidenceca. 360–390
Prov 5:11–14Apostolic Constitutions 1.7.10 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380

Proverbs 5:13

I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my mentors.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 5:13Didascalia 1.7 (Latin) · Anonymousquotation, high confidencefirst half of the third century

Proverbs 5:14

I am on the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 5:14Fragments on Proverbs, column 157 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 5:14Fragments on Proverbs, column 173 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 5:14Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 30.1.4 · Epiphanius of Salamisquotation, high confidence374-377
Prov 5:14Historia monachorum, chapter 1 · Rufinus of Aquileiaquotation, medium confidenceGreek original ca. 394-395; Rufinus's Latin ca. 404-406

Proverbs 5:15

Drink water from your own cistern, and running water from your own well.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 5:15The Instructor 3.2.9 · Clement of Alexandriaecho, medium confidenceca. 190–200
Prov 5:15Miscellanies 1.1.10 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Prov 5:15Fragments on Proverbs, column 173 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 5:15PG 12:1283 (Ps 26–27 LXX) · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 5:15Homilies on Numbers 12.1 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Prov 5:15Homilies on Numbers 12.2 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Prov 5:15Against Celsus 4.44 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 248
Prov 5:15–18Symposium 1.3 · Methodius of Olympusquotation, high confidencelate 3rd century
Prov 5:15Catechetical Lecture 16.11 · Cyril of Jerusalemallusion, high confidenceca. 350
Prov 5:15Homilies on the Psalms 7.8 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 360-378
Prov 5:15Homilies on the Psalms 14.8 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 360-378
Prov 5:15Oration 37.8 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, medium confidenceca. 362–383
Prov 5:15Letter 128.3 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Prov 5:15Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 26.9.1 · Epiphanius of Salamisquotation, high confidence374-377
Prov 5:15On Paradise 13 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 375-378
Prov 5:15On Tobit 21 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 380-390
Prov 5:15On Jacob and the Happy Life 1.29 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-390
Prov 5:15On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.17 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-390
Prov 5:15On the Duties of the Clergy 3.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386–390
Prov 5:15On 1 Cor 7:2, section 5 · John Chrysostomquotation, medium confidenceca. 390
Prov 5:15Hexameron (Exameron) 3.49 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-390
Prov 5:15Explanation of Twelve Psalms 45.3.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397
Prov 5:15–17Homily 9 · Gregory of Nyssaquotation, high confidenceca. 390–394
Prov 5:15Commentary on Malachi 2:13–16 · Jeromeallusion, high confidence406
Prov 5:15The Conferences 14.13 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Proverbs 5:16

Why should your springs flow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 5:16Miscellanies 2.2.8 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Prov 5:16Homilies on Numbers 12.1 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Prov 5:16Against Celsus 4.44 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 248
Prov 5:16On Jacob and the Happy Life 1.29 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-390
Prov 5:16Exposition of Psalm 118 6.31.1 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 386-397
Prov 5:16Explanation of Twelve Psalms 45.3.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397
Prov 5:16–17Homilies on the First Epistle of John 7.6 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 407
Prov 5:16The Conferences 14.13 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Proverbs 5:17

Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 5:17Homilies on Numbers 12.1 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Prov 5:17Against Celsus 4.44 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 248
Prov 5:17Oration 37.8 · Gregory of Nazianzusquotation, high confidenceca. 362–383
Prov 5:17On Jacob and the Happy Life 1.29 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-390
Prov 5:17On the Duties of the Clergy 3.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386–390

Proverbs 5:18

May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth:

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 5:18Fragments on Proverbs, column 175 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 5:18Demonstration 18.10 · Aphrahatallusion, medium confidence337-345
Prov 5:18–19Apostolic Constitutions 6.29.2 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Prov 5:18On Jacob and the Happy Life 1.29 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-390
Prov 5:18On the Duties of the Clergy 3.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386–390
Prov 5:18Commentary on Malachi 2:13–16 · Jeromeallusion, high confidence406

Proverbs 5:19

A loving doe, a graceful fawn—may her breasts satisfy you always; may you be captivated by her love forever.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 5:19On Proverbs, fragment 11 · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, high confidenceca. 200–235
Prov 5:19Fragments on Proverbs, column 175 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 5:19Commentary on the Song of Songs 3.207 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410)
Prov 5:19Commentary on the Song of Songs 3.213 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410)
Prov 5:19Homilies on the Psalms 28.5 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 360-378
Prov 5:19Oration 37.8 · Gregory of Nazianzusquotation, high confidenceca. 362–383
Prov 5:19Eleven Tractates 1.31 · Priscillianquotation, medium confidenceca. 380–385
Prov 5:19On the Complaints of Job and David 4.2 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 383-390
Prov 5:19On Jacob and the Happy Life 1.30 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-390
Prov 5:19On the Duties of the Clergy 3.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386–390
Prov 5:19Exposition of Psalm 118 6.13.2 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397
Prov 5:19On 1 Cor 7:2, section 5 · John Chrysostomquotation, high confidenceca. 390

Proverbs 5:20

Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress, or embrace the bosom of a stranger?

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 5:20Miscellanies 1.5.29 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Prov 5:20Miscellanies 1.5.31 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Prov 5:20Fragments on Proverbs, column 175 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 5:20Canonical Letter, Migne PG 45:227 · Gregory of Nyssaquotation, high confidenceca. 390

Proverbs 5:22

The iniquities of a wicked man entrap him; the cords of his sin entangle him.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 5:22Fragment 42 · Irenaeus of Lyonsecho, medium confidenceca. 170–200
Prov 5:22Against Heresies 3.9.3 · Irenaeus of Lyonsquotation, high confidenceca. 180–190
Prov 5:22Miscellanies 2.16.75 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Prov 5:22PG 12:1105 (Ps 2 LXX) · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 5:22Fragment 117 on John 2:13 (Munich codex 208 appendix) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 226-254
Prov 5:22Commentary on John 10.193 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 230–248
Prov 5:22Commentary on John 28.57 · Origenecho, medium confidenceca. 230–248
Prov 5:22Homilies on Jeremiah 9.4 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 240
Prov 5:22Against Celsus 1.53 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 248
Prov 5:22Commentary on Matthew 12.14 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 246–248
Prov 5:22Commentary on Matthew 16.17 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 246–248
Prov 5:22Catechetical Lecture 1.1 · Cyril of Jerusalemallusion, medium confidenceca. 350
Prov 5:22Homily on the Paralytic 10 · Cyril of Jerusalemallusion, medium confidenceca. 350-387
Prov 5:22Tractates on the Psalms 2.9 · Hilary of Poitiersquotation, high confidenceca. 360–367
Prov 5:22Tractates on the Psalms 118.8.14 · Hilary of Poitiersquotation, high confidenceca. 360–367
Prov 5:22Oration 3.7 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, medium confidenceca. 362–383
Prov 5:22Oration 40.33 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, medium confidenceca. 362–383
Prov 5:22Apostolic Constitutions 2.14.10 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Prov 5:22Exposition of Psalm 118 8.41.3 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397
Prov 5:22Exposition of Psalm 118 8.43.1 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397
Prov 5:22Against Adimantus, a Disciple of Mani 7 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 394
Prov 5:22Letters 23.13 · Paulinus of Nolaecho, medium confidenceca. 394–413
Prov 5:22Letters 23.20 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, medium confidenceca. 394–413
Prov 5:22Tractates on the Gospel of John 10.5 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 406–420
Prov 5:22The Conferences 20.7 · John Cassianallusion, medium confidenceca. 426–429
Prov 5:22The Conferences 23.9 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429
Prov 5:22The Conferences 24.24 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429
Prov 5:22On the Governance of God 8.8 · Salvian of Marseillesquotation, high confidenceca. 439-451
Prov 5:22Part 2, chapter 17 · Quodvultdeus of Carthageallusion, high confidenceca. 445-450