Proverbs 2:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness,

NIV: who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways,

NASB: From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness;

CSB: from those who abandon the right paths to walk in ways of darkness,

NLT: These men turn from the right way to walk down dark paths.

KJV: Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;

NKJV: From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness;

In verses 12 and 13, being delivered from the "evil way" is described in two "from" statements. The first discussed was those who speak falsely against us. The concept of "perverted speech" means those who are deliberately offensive or contrary. This is from the Hebrew term tahpukot.

Here in verse 13, we see the second nature of the evil way. The second "from" statement is those who leave the path of uprightness and walk in the dark. This is a typical theme in the New Testament. The entire letter of 1 John, for example, is about the contrast between walking in the light and walking in the darkness. First John 2:11 says "But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes." This is the one who has left the path of uprightness and walks in the darkness.

Proverbs 2:9–15 refines our understanding of justice, which is possibly the most difficult of the four virtues to master. We have long misunderstood justice as fairness or equality. Everyone is familiar with the common complaint ''that's not fair.'' This is often expressed when someone perceives that they are not being treated identically to others. However, true justice makes no claim to be equal; instead it is equitable. Justice can be defined as giving each person their due. Justice is absolutely fair, it is not necessarily equal.

In Proverbs chapter 2, Solomon highlights various virtues, as well as provides encouragement to live a virtuous life. As in chapter 1, specific concepts wil reoccur, and are used in certain ways. Here, these are ideas such as courage, integrity, wisdom, and justice. The gist of this passage is the positive effect that virtue—including these various aspects—will have on one's life. In contrast, those who pursue non-virtuous living will suffer dire consequences.

The overarching theme of Proverbs chapter 2 is the relationship between virtue and discernment. As described here, virtuous living is moral living. As a person strives to live a moral life, he or she develops a greater ability to discern right from wrong. Further, beyond simple matters of right and wrong, as virtue grows within a person, he or she becomes more proficient at discerning trickier situations. Real life predicaments often present two or more seemingly valid options. Discernment, then, also includes determining which of many different options is actually best. Likewise, many life situations appear to offer only a variety of bad options. There, discernment is once again required, to determine which option presents the correct choice, or to recognize where a ''good'' option has been hidden.

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.

Accessed 5/1/2024 9:23:07 PM