Sirach 19:23
Ben Sira, Ecclesiasticus
Deuterocanon
22 The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom, nor is there prudence in the counsel of sinners. 23 There is a cleverness that is detestable, and there is a fool who merely lacks wisdom. 24 Better are the God-fearing who lack understanding than the highly intelligent who transgress the law.
Date: 195-175 B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
LXX Proverbs 1:4
Septuagint
3 and to receive subtlety of words, and to understand true righteousness, and to direct a judgment, 4 so that it may give cunning to the naive and both experience and insight to a young child. 5 For when the wise hears these things, he will become wiser, and the thoughtful will gain skill in navigation,
Date: 1st Century B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Notes and References
"... LXX Proverbs 1:4 ... ἵνα δῷ ἀκάκοις πανουργίαν, “in order that he may impart shrewdness to the guileless.” In general Greek usage the word πανουργία, as well as the related adjective πανοῦργος, has a negative connotation, suggesting dishonest slyness and cunning. This is also true of biblical Greek outside of the book of Proverbs (see for example Numbers 24:22; Sirach 19:23; Luke 20:23; Ephesians 4:14). It is a peculiarity of the Greek of Proverbs, however, that it uses these words in a positive sense, suggesting godly wisdom. This positive connotation is clearly illustrated for πανουργία in the present verse (see also 8:5), and for πανοῦργος in the thirteen places where it occurs elsewhere in Proverbs ..."
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
Your Feedback:
User Comments
Anonymous comments are welcome. All comments are subject to moderation.