IT CORRECTS US WHEN WE ARE WRONG AND TEACHES US TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT
Sakkie Parsons
Translated from the Afrikaans Version: Dit ruk ons reg en kweek ‘n regte leefstyl
Translator: Lynda Botha
Someone asked me if I could explain Proverbs 17:7 to him.
I want to share with you the answer I gave him. Not only so you would understand Proverbs 17:7 the way I do, but also to draw your attention to something else and at the same time to do just a little bit of advertisement for a very good Bible version.
Here is what I wrote:
If I’m correct, the Bible version you have, which might have confused you a little bit, reads the verse as follows:
PRO 17:7: “Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.”
I can, of course, understand why you feel unsure of what the author of this verse actually means, because it is not in my opinion a very good translation of this specific verse. I will give you the best three translations of this verse and then I will say something more about it.
Firstly, The Common English Bible:
PRO 17:7: “Too much talking isn’t right for a fool; even less so false speech for an honourable person.”
Then, the Amplified Bible:
PRO 17:7: “Excellent speech does not benefit a fool (who is spiritually blind).”
Then, I consider this personally one of the best Bible versions ever: The New Living Bible:
PRO 17:7: “Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler.”
When I read the whole book of Proverbs, I noticed that the author almost always sees a fool as exactly just that and this is not how someone with integrity should act.
With that in mind, I think that the author wants to tell us for example: just as few would expect a fool so say something worthwhile – likewise would few expect someone to whom you look up to, or someone who gives guidance, to tell a lie.
I believe Proverbs 17:7 teaches people living today something special and that is the following:
The people our Lord uses to translate the Word of God, is ordinary fallible people like you and me, and they have and will, as we all sometimes do, make mistakes. But our Lord will never allow that the Bible, His Word, end up twisted in my hands to read, if I truly and sincerely seek Him.
I may not understand a sentence or a paragraph, but when I read and study the whole Word of God, will Jesus' gospel of love be crystal clear. We should not take parts here and there out of the Word of God and then want to build the Gospel from that. Our Lord tells us in this regard, in His Word:
2 TIM 3:16: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”
2 TIM 3:17: “God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.”
Also:
ROM 15:4: “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.”
As demonstrated by Proverbs 17:7 –
When I studied the whole book of Proverbs and looked at a few other translations, the picture and especially the message becomes crystal clear.
To conclude with the following, which has nothing directly in common with the interpretation of Proverbs 17:7 –
I really want to recommend to everyone who are studying their Bible seriously: to use The New Living translation. You can download the New Living Translation on the YouVersion Bible application, in Afrikaans and in English. It is available for Android or Windows and can be accessed by their respective links below:
Android download on Google Play store
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sirma.mobile.bible.android&hl=en_US
Windows App:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-za/p/bible/9wzdncrfj1fd?activetab=pivot:overviewtab
The Bible App for Voice Bible Users can be used on certain android devices which has google assistant installed. For more information on this please see link below:
http://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/bible-for-voice/bible-app-for-voice-on-google-assistant/
I herewith conclude and would like to lay 2 Timothy 3:16-17 on your heart:
2 TIM 3:16: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”
2 TIM 3:17: “God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.”
Greetings,
Sakkie