Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
but the prudent hold their tongues.
Summary: Solomon points us to a hazard that James warns about in his letter (James 3:1-12). Words are powerful. It is a power that is easily misused and causes damage not only to others but to ourselves.
Have you ever heard the expression, “The dog ate my homework?” It is a humorous example of the silly excuses children sometimes give their teachers for not completing their assignments. It suggests that their homework was completed on time, but could not be turned in because the family pet chewed it up. The sin is not doing the homework. The excuse is simply words made up to cover the sin.
Do adults ever do the same thing?
It was pointed out to me the other day that the answer is yes. Not only do they do the same thing, but they add many more words to cover their sin. If one lie is uncovered, then another lie covers that sin.
Why do people lie? To deceive, to conceal, or to protect. Yes, sometimes people lie to protect someone they care about. But that is not the kind of lie we are talking about. The kind of lie that Solomon warns us against is associated with sin. We deceive others because we want to conceal our sin and protect ourselves from the consequences of sin.
Then Solomon adds this: “The prudent hold their tongues.”
Once again, we see the contrast between the foolish and the wise. In this translation (NIV), it sounds as if words are used to cover up a sin. In other translations, the words themselves are a sin. A translation called “God’s Word” puts it this way:
“Sin is unavoidable when there is much talk, but whoever seals his lips is wise.” (GW)
In this translation, Solomon warns against the dangers of talking too much. Does too much talk ever lead to sin? If we are praising God, probably not. But if we are bragging, expressing envy, voicing slander, or betraying a confidence, we have wandered away from the straight and narrow path and begun to walk the “crooked paths” Solomon warns us against (Proverbs 10: 9).
Perhaps the best way to sum up today’s passage is to paraphrase a modern proverb: It is better to be silent and thought sinless than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt by sinning.
Application: Practice restraint when it comes to talking, and listen more.
Food for Thought: What are the benefits and/or dangers of having multiple translations of the Bible?
Benefits: so many more ways to understand context.
Danger: trying to memorize verses in each translation and getting them mixed up with eachother.
Tim,
Nicely summarized!
So true! 🙏
When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise. 10:19 NASB
Benefits of different translations: the words that don’t have an exact English equivalent are translated differently and give a better understanding of what the original intent was
Dangers: there are some wonky ‘translating’ skills happening out there too
Thank you, A
“Wonky” is certainly something to beware of! 🙂
Just a note: How can all translations be “purified seven times”? I find myself wondering how they can all be “the words of the Lord”. Psalm 12:6,7 KJV
For the choir director; upon an eight-stringed lyre. A Psalm of David.
Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases to be, For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. They speak falsehood to one another; With flattering lips and with a double heart they speak. May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, The tongue that speaks great things; Who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail; Our lips are our own; who is lord over us?”
“Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, Now I will arise,” says the LORD; “I will set him in the safety for which he longs.”
The words of the LORD are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times. You, O LORD, will keep them; You will preserve him from this generation forever. The wicked strut about on every side When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.
Psalm 12 NASB
[To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.] Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.
Psalm 12 KJV
So JEC, Psalm 12 appears to be focused sin by means of false/arrogant/harmful speech. God, in contrast, always speaks pure/truthful/righteously. His words don’t need purification, because they start out pure, but the comparison is to silver, which is refined seven times and only then can be said to truly be all silver. (A lot of work to do it right?)
Also, in verse 7 it says God’s word is preserved, but sadly preserved does not equal widely used/studied correctly, we are still responsible to not add or take away from His word when applying it to our lives. And since we have copies of scriptures over thousands of years that have remained consistent, His written word has proven constant.
Psalm 12 is not talking about translations, however, my question for you is: Is God’s word still His word in English (or any language)? Or is God’s word only His word in one language? If someone doesn’t trust translations, wouldn’t their only choice be to learn Hebrew and Greek?
Thank you, A!
I like your assessment of Psalm 12. A few days ago Ron mentioned that God’s Word is like a jewell. Each time we look into the Word we can look at a new facet and see a new aspect of our Lord.
04-29-2022, Proverbs 10:19, What are the benefits and/or dangers of having multiple translations of the Bible?
Jesus says the Holy Spirit will be our counselor or helper, who will teach us all things.
John 14:26
I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.
John 15:5
As christians are made alive spiritually and eternally because we are “born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God”
1 Peter 1:23
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
1 Corinthians 12:27
I study an English translation, my wife studies a Chinese translation and we both know Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for our sins and our priority is to grow in Him. I have no Idea how many people God has called to Himself through me, I never had a bible with me, He always spoke the words they needed to hear as they received Christ.
God inspired men to put His Word into written form. His New Testament clearly tells us the Holy Spirit is our teacher, Christ is the branch and we are His vines having been made spiritually alive, born again as members of the body of Christ on earth.
2 Timothy 1:9 says, God has called us according to His own purpose. From the very get go, we must understand that our purpose is God’s purposes. We are loved, if we would like to know our purpose we have to know God’s purpose because that is what we are called to live.
I’m not saying every written version of the Bible is true, I am saying if our heart is committed to finding the truth, God will lead us into His truth. Study the Bible we are comfortable with and submit to God as our Lord and Father. He will guide us as we get out of the way and let Christ be seen in all we do.
Know that those who truly seek Christ shall find Him.
Proverb 8:17, Matthew 6:6, 6:32-33, Acts 17:27, Luke 12:29-31
Thank you, Ron.
It is comforting to know that God’s Holy Spirit is able to guide and teach us. In spite of our divergent backgrounds, we are united in Christ’s family.
R, I do not find anyone who truly seeks the truth as satanic, just as I would hope that you would not conclude that I have not done my homework. I hesitate to comment on these posts most days as I do not use the translations that are used and I’m not looking for a fight.
Jeff, You know that I have strong convictions and think for myself. I apologize for causing contention on your site. It truly was not my intent.
JEC,
En contraire!
I am delighted that you chimed in! There is no contention here that I am aware of, just good discussion. You have given me something to think about which I appreciate. One of the benefits of using a single translation as you do is consistency of verbiage. That can be a plus for memorization and discussion purposes. I also think that the KJV offers an elegance of language that is missing from many other translations. I completely respect your views on this matter.
That said, I may have some thoughts of my own to share later today! 🙂
JEC. I absolutely respect your position and my comments were definitely not aimed at you personally. Not at all. If I thought they would be I would take them back. In fact, Jeff, please take my comment off. I didn’t mean to offend or cause division. Please forgive me and take my comments off. Much peace to all. And KJV is a beautiful translation.
What are the benefits and/or dangers of having multiple translations of the Bible?
Hi T. Let’s talk in person about this.
Hi T. That was not from anonymous. It was from R.
Tim,
Some of my thoughts on the question:
When I am prepping my blog posts, I often find myself wondering, “What does the text mean?” Any language is like that. You say something in words, and the people you are speaking to have to figure out what you mean. When we are face-to-face we can ask questions and get clarification. When we are using the written word, we don’t always have that option.
Multiple translations allow me to see how different people understand the original text. Generally there is a theme that is clear from all the translations. Sometimes there are minor divergences in how people understand the text. All of this helps me have a better picture of what the text is saying. I see this as a good thing.
The danger of multiple translations is the potential for division. The hallmark of the church is unity (John 17: 21). What I saw in our discussion here is an example of that unity — an overriding concern for the wellbeing of others. Three Minute Bible is blessed with an abundance of loving commenters! 🙂
I’m sorry everyone I was just looking over the comments and seeing how different translations can cause people to see things differently or how having different translations gives multiple opportunities of miscommunication or areas where people don’t see eye to eye on some word. But like R2T2 said Holy Spirit helps so much. I also am learning that whatever translation make sure your understanding context not pretext. Then also trying to keep unity, Because of the constant attacks on all of us. I am super thankful for everyone’s rush to help me understand Gods Word more that made me smile. Sorry for the late reply.
Tim,
You are so right! Our enemy is always waiting for an opportunity to distract and mislead us. Being focused on our Lord Jesus is critical for surviving and flourishing. Thank you for sharing your words with us!
Jeff has encouraged me to state my views on versions of the Bible. I do not hold a popular opinion on this matter and I know that most reading this post have found themselves in the minority on probably many occasions. I do not state my views in the hope of swaying anyone, but I believe that there were some follow up questions to my inquiry about several versions in the English language.
I believe that God breathed His Word into existence through holy men who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. See 2 Peter 1:21 and 2 Timothy 3:16. I believe that these men wrote the inspired Word in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. I believe that this text has been received down through the generations (1 Peter 1:25) by way of the textus receptus (the received text. ) Others believe that the original text is correct or use either texts interchangeably. If you know who Wescott and Hort are, I do not believe that they were tools of Satan as I have heard some claim.
Furthermore, I believe that the King James Version is the best English translation of the inspired Word of God. When I have questions about meaning, I pray and consult Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance. I do not believe, as some, that the KJV has has replaced the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek text as God’s inspired Word.
In respect to translations in other languages, it would be foolish for me to comment as I am ignorant in this area.
God bless you all as you strive to serve Him.
JEC,
Thank you for adding this information to our discussion! I am glad you are willing to share your perspective on this topic. One of the things I love about our discussions here is that I learn so much from everyone who comments. Thank you!