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  • The Severity of Knowing (2)

    Buy truth, and do not sell it, get wisdom, instruction, and understanding. Proverbs 23:23  NASB Buy/ get – The implication might be there, but the verb isn’t.  You see, the “get” in this translation has been added.  The Hebrew text just reads, “Buy truth, and do not sell it, wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”  In other words, wisdom, instruction,…

  • The Other Side of Freedom

    So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free. John 8:36  NASB Free – Have you considered the other side of freedom?  To be free is to be at risk.  There is no such thing as a guarantee when freedom is involved.  Free choice always means alternative results.  The only thing that prevents…

  • Too Much Poetic License

    You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness and great faithfulness.  Psalm 119:138  NASB In righteousness – Even in Hebrew this sentence doesn’t seem to work very well.  The English just makes it worse. Chabad translates it as “You commanded Your testimonies, [which are] righteousness, and they are exceedingly faithful.”  The translators have to add “which are” to…

  • On Solid Ground

    All Your commandments are faithful; they have persecuted me with a lie; help me!  Psalm 119:86  NASB Faithful – It’s unfortunate that this translation pushes us to view the commandments as spiritual. “Faithful” makes it sound as if miṣwâ belong in the realm of religion, where “faith” operates differently than the rest of our “practical” lives.  Such would…

  • Firm Footing

    Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good reputation  Philippians 4:8 True – True is not correct.  I don’t mean that this isn’t the right translation.  It is.  The Greek word, alethia, means “true.”  But the…