Today, I’m studying Proverbs, so I’m sharing some thoughts on these.

Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.

Proverb 4:4 (NIV)

This would be King David who taught this to Solomon. Although David didn’t appear to discipline his children in the ways we might have thought he should, we can see that he did try and guide them wisely.

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Proverbs 4:7 (NIV)

The greatest lie of pride is that we know things we don’t know. It’s only when we recognize that we don’t know everything that we can truly continue on a path of learning. The first step is acknowledging our ignorance. It hadn’t occurred to me before, but I think Solomon asked for wisdom to rule Israel because of what his father David taught him.

Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.

Proverbs 5:15 (NIV)

Proverbs 5 is all about adultery. In verses 1-14, this has been straightforwardly presented with hints of figurative language. However, in verses 15-18, Solomon starts talking about water. Well, not really. This is all figurative language. Here’s a translation that isn’t as figurative as the NIV or King James versions.

15 Drink water from your own well— share your love only with your wife. 16 Why spill the water of your springs in the streets, having sex with just anyone? 17 You should reserve it for yourselves. Never share it with strangers. 18 Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.

Proverbs 5:15-18 (NLT)

This next verse can be taken quite differently depending on the Bible translation you’re reading.

For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread, but another man’s wife preys on your very life.

Proverbs 6:26 (NIV)

This verse isn’t suggesting that it’s cheaper to go to a prostitute instead of sleeping with another man’s wife. We can once again turn to the NLT for illumination.

For a prostitute will bring you to poverty, but sleeping with another man’s wife will cost you your life.

Proverbs 6:26 (NLT)

We can misunderstand the Bible if we read it too quickly or read a version that’s difficult to understand. This is why I always suggest we set aside a time each day just to read the Bible and compare translations when we read. I use YouVersion as my primary resource for reading the Bible, which allows me to easily change or compare versions. Of course, the best resource we have is the Holy Spirit!

That’s all I have for today. I pray this day finds you well, and I thank you for stopping by!

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