My Translation of Proverbs 4
by
Jerry Falwell
INTRODUCTION
In the 50s, youth leaders had young people paraphrase a portion of Scripture as a teaching method. This is a paraphrase of Proverbs 4 that (1) uses modern words, (2) with the same meaning as the Bible, (3) to help us understand the Scriptures.
(v. 1) Pay attention my children, and you will become smart enough to deal with life’s problems The principles I tell you will work if you follow them.
(v. 3) When I was a boy, my father taught these principles to me. They helped me live a good life and they will help you. Let me summarize them.
(v. 5) Learn as much as you can, don’t turn your back on any opportunity to learn how to apply all you know.
(v. 6) Here’s how it works: develop an insatiable appetite for knowledge, because when you get smart, you get ahead.
(v. 7) If you know what works, and you know how to do things, you’ll do more than get along; you’ll come out on top. When you know things--God’s truth--you will be promoted and you will get the prize.
(v. 10) Pay attention to Me, my children, and you will have a long life. I’ve learned these principles from life and if you follow them, you won’t fall or even stumble. You’ll run straight to the goal.
(v. 13) Don’t doubt these principles, and don’t turn your back on them. They will give you a good life.
(v. 14) Watch out for wicked people who are lazy, rebellious and just follow their selfish desires. Don’t hang out with them because they will influence you to turn your back on living for God. Evil people cannot stand it when anyone lives differently than them. They’ll do everything possible to get you to act like them. Hang out with those who love these principles I’ve taught you.
(v. 18) If you will do the right thing, your path will get brighter and brighter each day and you will have a long useful life. The path of lazy and rebellious people gets darker and darker each day and they continually stumble. They have no idea why their life is so tough.
(v. 20) So, My children, pay attention to My principles. Listen carefully, keep your eyes alert, and open wide your heart to God. You’ll live longer and it’ll be worth it, because you’ll live happier.
(v. 23) Here’s the most important principle: keep your heart focused on doing right because the heart will control your actions and attitudes. Don’t even stick your lips out to pout or roll your eyes to be sarcastic. Look others straight in their eyes and be honest with them. Don’t let your buddies turn you to the left or right. Walk straight towards your goal in life.
Proverbs 4 Word Study
(v. 1) “To know understanding,” means “to learn discernment.”
(v. 3) “Only beloved,” in the Hebrew language this means unique, the only one of its kind.
(v. 4) “Keep My commandments,” means “to take heed to” as to obey. “And live,” means in the Hebrew “to live again” as in resurrection life. This doesn’t mean have a full life or good life, but to live after death. Earthly life could be enjoyed without keeping the commandments of God, but those who keep the commandments of God “live again.”
(v. 6) “Preserve thee.” This has the meaning of “to protect” as to protect or build fortifications of a city day in and day out, not just in the time of battle; but constant protection.
(v. 8) “Win.” This word is “because.” The son who obeys the father will have honor, “because” he embraces wisdom.
(v. 9) “A crown,” means diadem. Actually this is the crown that is won in athletics or in battle, not the crown that one inherits by birth.
(v. 9) “Deliver,” means “deliver a person fully and freely.” This is a rare word that occurs only here and one other time in Scripture. It has the idea of a gift, that is given to you without cost, i.e., “fully and freely.”.
(v. 10) “The years of thy life shall be many.” This means, “My sayings shall have a greater blessing to you as you live your life.” Because the phrase, “years of life” is feminine, and the phrase, “my sayings” is feminine, it means you will have quality of life throughout your years, it does not mean you will live longer. However, you will live longer if you obey your father and mother, see Fifth Commandment.
(v. 12) “When thou runnest,” means “if thou runnest.” This means you do not have to run. To walk is an obligation, to run is an option.
(v. 13) “Take fast hold,” means to emphatically snatch, grab or seize. The hiphil makes it emphatic.
(v. 14) “The wicked,” means lawless one. This is not just talking about those who break the law, this is even worse; this talks about the one who lives without any regard to any law. This is a picture of how many people live today. Their outward life may look good, but they are lawless, i.e., in God’s sight, they are wicked.
(v. 16) “Unless they cause,” means “they mean someone to fall.”
(v. 17) “But the path of the just,” shows a contrast to the path of the wicked. Emphasis is on “but.” The growth of wisdom in your life will keep you on the right path.
“The shining light,” means “the dawning of the day.” This has the idea of a new day, a new beginning, and new hope. When someone begins applying the wisdom of this chapter, they begin life anew, i.e., they begin walking in the “shining light.”
“Perfect day,” this is when the sun seems to stand stationary on the horizon at the end of the day. When you have obeyed God’s wisdom, you have the perfect day--all day long--until the sun sets right on the horizon at the end of the day. This verse means from the beginning, i.e., “shining light” to the end, i.e., “perfect day,” following God is best.
(v. 23) “Keep them in the midst of thine heart.” The idea is to guard the gate, as someone guards the city gate so that thieves, robbers or any enemy cannot enter the city.
(v. 24) “Froward mouth,” used in the Book of Proverbs means perverse or filthy. This is not the person who takes God’s name in vain, nor the person who curses. This is the person who has a filthy mouth and uses nasty words.
(v. 26) “Ponder the path.” This means to think carefully or to meditate. Those who ponder/meditate will have a successful life. “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:8).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord,
I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
For more information on the TRBC Pastor’s Bible Class, log on to the Internet for TRBC Home page at www.trbc.org/pbc.
