From the Sinhadòs, and given as Can. lxxxiii. of the Canons ascribed to Clemens the disciple of the Apostles.
§ 4. "… Not only have I heard of these things by the hearing of the ear, but I myself have also read of these things and despised them. I have read the books of the Two Covenants of Almighty God, and have not ordered my goings according to what is contained therein. I have read the Law comprised in the Five books of Moses; and have not cleansed my five inward and outward senses. I have read the book of the righteous Job, that man of suffering; and have not been willing to endure the pain of the soul for my sins. I have read the book of the Judges, who judged Israel for a short space; but I have not considered that endless judgment which shall be passed upon my folly. I have read of David and Jonathan the true; but I have not resembled them in their pure attachment, and sincere friendship. I have read of the foolish Saul who hated David, but I have not cast away from me the hatred wherewith I wrongly hate my neighbour. I have read of Amnon, the incestuous, who ravished his sister; but I have not restrained myself from adroitly stealing the bread which did not belong to me. I have read the one hundred and fifty Psalms sung by David; but I have been unwilling to sing the praises of the Lord, who formed me and created me out of the dust. I have read in the books of Wisdom,[1] the Proverbs, and Leviticus;[2] but I would not receive correction from their godly words. I have read of Elijah and Elisha, prophets of the Spirit; but I have not wondered at my actions towards the living
- ↑ Literally "the Wisdoms," comprising most probably the following:
The Wisdom of Solomon, a Collection, i.e. Ecclesiastes.
The Great Wisdom of Solomon, i.e. the book of Wisdom.
The Wisdom of Jesus the son of Sirach.
- ↑ Mentioned separate from the Pentateuch for the sake of the rhyme in which the poem is written.
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