De lectione scripturarum.
The Right Spirit for Reading Scripture
Scripture is to be approached with humility, seeking truth and usefulness rather than eloquence or the prestige of the author.
Truth is to be sought in the holy Scriptures, not displayed in speech. All sacred Scripture ought to be read in the same spirit in which it was written. We ought to seek usefulness in the Scriptures rather than subtlety of language. We should read devout and simple books just as willingly as we read lofty and profound ones. Don't let the authority of the writer — whether learned or unlearned — shield you from the truth, but let a pure love of truth draw you to read. Don't ask who said this — pay attention to what is being said.
God's Enduring Truth and Our Curiosity
While human beings pass away, God's truth endures, and He speaks to us in diverse ways — yet our curiosity often hinders faithful reading.
People pass away, but the truth of the Lord remains forever.✦ Without partiality toward persons, God speaks to us in many different ways. Our curiosity often gets in the way when we read the Scriptures, since we want to understand and debate passages where we should simply move on.
Humble Reading and Listening to the Saints
To profit from reading one must read humbly and faithfully, freely asking questions and silently receiving the wisdom of the saints.
If you want to draw real profit from your reading, read humbly, simply, and faithfully — and never seek a reputation for knowledge. Ask questions freely, and listen in silence to the words of the saints. Don't let the parables of the elders displease you — they are not offered without reason.
Read the original Latin
Veritas est in Scripturis sanctis quærenda, non eloquenda. Omnis Scriptura sacra eo spiritu debet legi, quo facta est. Quærere debemus potius utilitatem in Scripturis, quam subtilitatem sermonis. Ita libenter devotos et simplices libros legere debemus, sicut altos et profundos. Non te defendat auctoritas Scribentis utrum parvæ vel magnæ litteraturæ fuerit, sed amor puræ veritatis te trahat ad legendum. Non quæras quis hoc dixerit, sed quid dicatur attende.
Homines transeunt, sed veritas Domini manet in æternum. Sine personarum acceptione variis modis nobis loquitur Deus. Curiositas nostra sæpe nos impedit in lectione Scripturarum, cum volumus intelligere et discutere ubi simpliciter est transeundum. Si vis profectum haurire lege humiliter, simpliciter, et fideliter nec unquam velis habere nomen scientiæ. Interroga libenter, et audi tacens Sanctorum verba, nec displiceant tibi parabolæ Seniorum sine causa enim non proferuntur.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Ps.116.2 — Because he inclined his ear to me, I will call upon him all my days.