Proverbs 4-6 (4th June) - Ezra

Chp 4:

In this chapter, I can only summaries it as, listen to the wisdom of fathers.
Why I say that? Simple;

The whole chapter 4 talks about the wisdom of a father to a son.
Verse 1: Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding (NIV).
Verse 1: Listen, friends, to some fatherly advice, sit up and take notice so you'll know how to live (Msg Version).
Verse 1: Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding (NKJV).

I will also like to bring your attention to this passage:
Verse 12: When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble (NIV).
Verse 12: I don't want you ending up in blind alleys, or wasting time making wrong turns (Msg Version).
Verse 12: When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble (NKJV).
From verse 1 to here, it brings us to a very simple path of wisdom. That is, listen to the wise and do everything according to what the Lord has intended for you.
In the massge version, it's really interesting; after verse 12, we see verse 13 as it continues on saying: Hold tight to good advice; don't relax your grip. Guard it well—your life is at stake!
It is pretty strong at the last part, but I feel that it's saying, hold tight to the values and principles of what was thought to you through the word of God and guard it well, because we are always facing temptation everyday, trails and burddens everyday. So we must always be on our guard.

In the below verses, it also shows us that, when we learn to guard our heart and put His word into practice, our health will be grow better, verse 22. Following on, it also teaches us to put perversity from our mouth and also to keep corrupt talk far from your lips, Verse 24.

Take some time to study the massage version and NKJV version of Proverbs, it is reallyv ery interesting as you can find the different placements and usage of words which opens up your mind to understand greater in detail.


Chp 5:

Here as we see, it's a warning against adultery.

For us, many are very young. But it's good to know and start learning now, the right values and principles to live a life holy and pleasing before God.

I will summaries up this whole chapter as; man's ways are evil, but through His word, He will set us free and align our hearts, minds, soul, values and principles back to Him.

Chp 6:

Verse 16-19: 16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers (NIV).
Verse 16-19: Here are six things God hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion: eyes that are arrogant, a tongue that lies, hands that murder the innocent, a heart that hatches evil plots, feet that race down a wicked track, a mouth that lies under oath, a troublemaker in the family (Msg Version).
Verse 16-19: 16 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren (NKJV).

The few different version I quoted, they all have very similer characteristics of the word they use: detestable, passion and abomination. This shows us that, it is really so wrong to commit these acts. The words used are all very strong words. So bare in mind that the above shouldn't be part of our life style.

Again from verse 20 - 35 talks about adultery. This shows us that, this kind of act is very dis-pleasing to God so much that it was repeated 3 passages of it.