Always Wise

(Pro 8:24 KJV) When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.

Is wisdom eternal?  Is it an attribute of God or is He so far above wisdom that such a statement is an insult?  It makes me wonder what “brought forth” (2342a) signifies.  It seems to have the idea of twisting and turning.  It implies birth in the course of great struggle.  The older commentators drew parallels to the concept of “only begotten” relating to Jesus.  If that has traction it could infer that wisdom is eternal but had to be squeezed into a form that humans could use.

It makes me wonder if the Pumice Pathetic Paraphrase would translate it “trotted out”.

So?  The point is that the principles laid down in Biblical wisdom are consistent with the nature of God and His creation.  We all benefit from making them a part of our lives. 

Where Do They Get These Translators

(Pro 27:7 KJV) The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

Translators continue to puzzle me.  Compare this verse in the NASB and KJV.

(Pro 27:7 NAS77) A sated man loathes honey, But to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet.

Neither one reaches down to the real words.  Start with the word “sated” (7649) in the NASB.  It is “full” in the KJV, which is much more literal.  It means full or satisfied and this is the only place where it is used with its negative sense of stuffed to being senseless.  It is actually a good thing to be.

Then we have “soul” (5315) [nephesh].  The KJV wins here.  This is a much deeper concept than just the “man” of the NASB.  This is not just a reference to physical gratification. 

On “loaths” (947) both strike out.  The meaning of the word is to trample or reject.  I am sure that loath would cover that but in this context it gives it a superficial feel that will go away in a few minutes when the stomach has digested its overload.  I find it is time for a Pumice Pathetic Paraphrase.

(Pro 27:7 PPP) A satisfied soul finds it easy to walk past temptation.

So?  The best way to reject the temptations of life is to be filled with the things of God. 

Leftover Pumpkins Won’t Help

(Proverbs 4:7 KJV)  Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

The translation from NASB starts of with totally different wording.

(Proverbs 4:7 NAS77)  "The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.

The difference is not in the Hebrew.  First, look at the words in italics.  Both are inserted to make it flow.  The key word translated differently is “beginning” (7225) or “principle”.  It has the idea of being first in importance.  If I were translating it, which is always dangerous, I would start with,

(Proverbs 4:7 Pumice Pathetic Paraphrase) Wisdom first.  Get Wisdom....

This tells us a couple of things.  First, wisdom is vital.  It is not an option.  It is a requirement.  Second, it ain’t gonna happen unless we make it a priority.  God is not like the Fairy God Mother who waves her wand and turns mice and a pumpkin into a coach and four.  Third, it is available to everyone.

So?  What are you waiting for, Cinderella?  No one is going to be able to acquire wisdom for you.  God will award it but only to those who seek. 

Junk Food or Cuisine

(Proverbs 20:15 KJV)  There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

I continue to be mystified by translators.  I would love to be eavesdropping in the committee when they discuss what word to use.  I am looking at “precious (3366) thing (3627).  A literal translation would give you “honorable vessel”.  Why did they shy away from such a simple statement?

We have goals in life.  Hopefully they are goals based on obedience and a desire to do God’s work in our situation.  Some are simple responsibility, such as being at work on time.  Others might involve sharing the gospel with the queen of England.  We plan and act using the tools that are available to us.

This is about preparing and using the right tools.  If you need to get gas for your car then money will take care of it.  If you need to open a combination lock, you need knowledge.  I might try a little Pumice Pathetic Paraphrase here.

(Proverbs 20:15 PPP) Money is good for a munch but knowledge is necessary for nutrition.

So?  Is your goal a bag of chips for a craving or a solid meal for sustaining satisfaction?  Plan accordingly. 

Trusting the Person

(Proverbs 22:19 KJV)  That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

The Christian life is based on “trust” (4009) {25:19}.  This is not the identical word from the verse we are most familiar with,

(Proverbs 3:5 KJV)  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

but it is a derivative. 

Trust does not happen automatically.  Notice the word “known” (taught NASB) (3045).  Both the NASB and KJV have the idea that teaching is going on.  There is, however, a nuance to the knowing that I think is missed.  Thus, it becomes in a Pumice Paraphrase,

“I let you know me so you will trust me.” (PPP)

A popular song of the past said,

“To know, know, know me,
Is to love, love, love me.”

That is the concept here.  God does not stand afar off and expect us to run on empty.  He does not expect blind faith.  He gets up close, gets involved and lets us get to know Him.  I think of the times, after being out of town, that my wife sleeps better knowing that I am home. 

So?  Get to know Him.  Let Him speak to you.  Listen.  And then not only sleep better but live better.

Shades of Truth

(Proverbs 22:21 KJV)  That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?

This verse is loaded with figurative translations that take away the edge.  First of all we see that “certainty” (7189b) is literally the word “truth.”  It is not the same word for “truth” (571) used two other times in the KJV.  The KJV is closer to being literal here.  The NASB uses “correctly” (571) as a synonym for “truth.”

The first one emphasizes the idea of balanced truth.  The second has the concept of reliability and stability.  One might be experience, the other absolute. 

If I had to do a Pumice Pathetic Paraphrase it might go,

(Proverbs 22:21 PPP) To force you to acknowledge the truth of the words of truth so you can answer with truth.

So?  Our lives are based in truth not opinion, fashion or consensus.  You cannot be set free until you know the truth.  Read, study, think, pray, listen.

Appetite Suppressors

(Proverbs 13:25 KJV)  The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

As one who has been working on losing weight, I know I have problems with my “appetite” (NASB) (soul KJV) (5315).  I do not eat too much because I am hungry but because I “want” (2637).  This verse is reminding us that the big temptations in life are not from physical needs but from something wrong in our appetites.

This word is much deeper than you would expect.  The KJV gets it right.  It is the Hebrew word that refers to the soul, the motivating force, the passions.  In the NASB it is translated “soul” 278 times, the KJV, 416.  Another translation very common is “life” (146/100). 

I feel a Pathetic Pumice Paraphrase coming on.

(Proverbs 13:25, PPP) The righteous puts needs before wants and is satisfied.  The wicked never understands that priority. 

Why is this important to understand?  Because God made us and knows what we need to be satisfied for now and eternity.  Our focus is life is usually immediate gratification.

So?  Allow the Holy Spirit to show you what your needs are whether it be lunch or vacation. 

Pick and Choose

(Proverbs 22:24 KJV)  Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

How do we pick our friends, those whom we “make friendship” (associate NASB) (7462b) with?  Actually this is stronger than that.  The word is only used six times in the OT, five of them in Proverbs.  Each time in Proverbs is has a negative connection.  To get the feel I might paraphrase it this way:

(Proverbs 22:24, PPP) Don’t chose to go slumming with people who have a short fuse.

Avoid them.  Make excuses when invited to their parties.  Leave early if you can’t stay away.

I guess it goes without saying that you should not be that kind of person either.  Okay, so I went ahead and said it.  Just skip over that part.

So?  When you see trouble coming, go the other way.  If it sneaks up on you, sneak out on it.  We have a lot to say about the company we keep.  Sometimes we need to say it with out feet. 

The Blessing of Go

(Proverbs 9:6 KJV)  Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

As I was studying this verse I noticed that the word “go” (proceed NASB) (833) is sometimes translated with the idea of “to bless,” not in this verse but in other verses in the OT.  How would it read it we try a Pumice Pathetic Paraphrase on it and substitute “bless”?

(Proverbs 9:6 PPP)  Forsake the foolishness, and live; and let understanding bless you.

When we move away from doing things the way the world does them and turn to God’s ways we are blessed. 

So?  You have an invitation to the wedding feast of the lamb.  You have RSVP’d and are ready to go.  Remember that little slip of paper that had a map and directions?  Take it with you.  Follow it.  If you don’t you might miss the party.