I have gone back and forth on this section of Proverbs 1- how to study it? To understand it?

I decided to zero in on one verse that I think is particularly clever, and it sits in the middle of a section titled The Enticement of Sinners in the ESV (Proverbs 1:8-19).

Here is the strange little proverb:

Hmmm.

I do love little sayings like this. Quote this one at work or to a friend and watch them scratch their head in confusion.

This is a great example of why reading the verse in different translations is so important and helpful.

It does no good to spread a net when the bird you want to catch is watching.
Proverbs 1:17 Good News Bible

Proverbs 1 is Solomon teaching his son or a student(s). A lesson from father to son- wisdom, advice, and warning.

My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
Proverbs 1:10 ESV

I love this reminder- that we have an option, that we choose to sin. Sin doesn’t “just happen” to us. It’s not an accident. It is a path we choose to take. We “see the trap laid before us.”

Solomon explains how enticing the sinner can sound, “come with us,” “we will fill our houses with plunder.” Sin loves company, and sometimes it sounds or looks really good.

My son do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths.
Proverbs 1:15 ESV

Solomon’s advice is to run away. Turn your back. Do not consent. Don’t even take a step toward them, it’s a trap! Don’t be foolish. See the trap- see the net being laid- and don’t even step foot into it. Only fools see the trap and walk into it, even birds won’t do that.

If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away.
Proverbs 1:17 NLT

The Message translates this proverb: nobody robs a bank with everyone watching.

But sadly, we are human, and we do walk into traps, even when we see it laid out before us. We see something we want (greed takes over), and we think, “okay, just this once.” The trap is laid and sprung as we know it will be.

Solomon finishes his little wisdom byte with this explanation. Here is the translation from the International Children’s Bible because that is the only way I understand things sometimes:

These men are setting their own trap.
They will only catch themselves!
All greedy people end up this way.
Greed takes away the life of the greedy person.
Proverbs 1:18-19 ICB

My friends, see the net of sin and do not consent, turn and run the other way. It might look good, but it is always a trap.

Be like the bird who watches the net being laid out in front of him and flies away.

Heidi xoxo