The interpretation timeline

Prov 22:11

How this passage has been read — the sources, oldest to newest.

From the early Church Fathers to now.

Prov 22:11 · Douay-Rheims

“He that loveth cleanness of heart, for the grace of his lips shall have the king for his friend.”

Patristic before A.D. 750

735

A.D.

Bede Patristic

A.D. 673–735

“"He who loves purity of heart," etc. He who rightly preaches with a pure heart will be numbered among those, about whom the prophet says to the same King and Creator of the ages: "But to me, your friends, O God, are greatly honored" (Ps. CXXXVIII). For if anyone shows the grace of lips by preaching rightly, but neglects to keep the purity of heart, such a one is by no means to be considered able to enjoy the friendship of the eternal king.”

Source

Modern · 1953 →

The in-app commentary runs from the Fathers to the early-modern record, then stops — that's where the public-domain sources end, not where the reading does. For the modern reading, follow the sources directly.