Proverbs 23:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

NIV: There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

NASB: Certainly there is a future, And your hope will not be cut off.

CSB: For then you will have a future, and your hope will not be dashed.

NLT: You will be rewarded for this; your hope will not be disappointed.

KJV: For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

NKJV: For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off.

At times, sin seems attractive (Proverbs 23:17) and we're tempted by a fear of "missing out." That's how Satan tempted Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1–7), and it's been a common struggle for humanity ever since (Psalm 73:2–3, 16–20). Of course, most sin brings with it risks of serious earthly consequences (Proverbs 8:33–36; 13:21). Worse, those who reject God in favor of sin gain only a fractional instant of benefit, followed by an eternity of suffering (Mark 9:43). The ungodly person has no hope.

The righteous—those who seek and follow God (Proverbs 1:7)—have enduring hope. Their future is bright. Believers have an inheritance in heaven that is secure, kept by God's power (Jude 1:24; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; John 10:28). When life ends for a believer, he or she enters the presence of Christ and receives an inheritance (2 Corinthians 5:8). The apostle Peter encouraged persecuted first-century believers with these words: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:3–5).

Proverbs 23:12–21 lays out more of the thirty wise sayings which Solomon recorded for others to hear (Proverbs 22:17–21). Verses 12 and 19 repeat the call to heed wisdom. The following helpful statements touch on child discipline, personal integrity, caution about one's companions, and the benefits of listening to godly parental advice.

This portion of wise sayings (Proverbs 22:17–21) starts with the sixth of thirty mentioned in chapter 22. These include advice on presenting oneself well to a host, while not being unduly influenced by such hospitality. The passage also speaks on the right time to share wisdom, ethics, discipline, and the joys associated with godly children. Also included are warnings about relationships and those who lack self-control. The chapter ends with the Bible's most strident warning about the dangers of alcohol abuse; this is the eighteenth of the thirty promised teachings.

This chapter continues Solomon's collection of the sayings of wise men (Proverbs 22:17–21). These lessons continue through Proverbs 24:34. Here, Solomon addresses his "son," perhaps meaning a student, with warnings about money, gluttony, speaking in the company of a fool, dishonesty, withholding discipline from a child, keeping company with drunkards, and the abuse of alcohol. The description of alcohol's risks is the most extensive such caution given in Scripture.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.