Catena Fidei

Sirach 2:1 (WEB)
My son, if you come to serve the Lord, prepare your soul for temptation.

Fathers and councils · 8

Jerome, Against Jovinianus Book 2
“And in another place it is written:“My son, when thou comest to serve the Lord, prepare thyself for temptation.”” — editor's note: Ecclus. ii. 1.
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Jerome, Letters Letter 118
“Rather will I say what it is good for you to hear: “My son, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation,” and “when thou shalt have done all those things which are commanded thee, say, I am an unprofitable servant; I have done that which was my duty to do.”” — editor's note: Ecclus. ii. 1.
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Augustine of Hippo, Expositions on the Psalms Psalm 80
“In such manner evidently Thou wilt be angry, because it hath been written, “My son, drawing near unto the service of God, stand thou in righteousness and in fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation.”” — editor's note: Ecclus. ii. 1.
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Augustine of Hippo, Expositions on the Psalms Psalm 84
“…or olives: but as it is said, “My son, when thou drawest near to the service of God, stand in judgment and fear, and make thy soul ready for temptation:” so each, as he draweth near to the service of God, findeth that he is come to the winepress; he shall undergo tribulation, shall be crushed, shall be pressed,…” — editor's note: Ecclus. ii. 1.
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Augustine of Hippo, On Patience Chapter 11
“For in the fire gold and silver is proved, but acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.”” — editor's note: Ecclus. ii. 1–5
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Cyprian of Carthage, On the Mortality
“Holy Scripture teaches and forewarns, saying, “My son, when thou comest to the service of God, stand in righteousness and fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation.”” — editor's note: Ecclus. ii. 1, 4.
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Leo the Great, Sermons Sermon 39
“And therefore the most wise Solomon says, “My son in approaching the service of God prepare thy soul for temptation.”” — editor's note: Ecclus. ii. 1.
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John Cassian, The Institutes IV.38Book IV
“Wherefore, as Scripture says, “when you go forth to serve the Lord stand in the fear of the Lord, and prepare your mind” not for repose or carelessness or delights, but for temptations and troubles.” — editor's note: Ecclus. ii. 1.
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