Article May 10, 1941 Issue

Bible Notes

[The Biblical citations given in the Christian Science Quarterly are from the Authorized King James Version. The Bible Notes in this column can be used, if deemed necessary, to elucidate some of the words or passages contained in the Bible Lessons. The Notes in this issue are related to the Lesson-Sermon designated to be read in Christian Science churches on May 18, 1941.]

"Forsake the foolish, and live" (Prov. 9:6)—In the original Hebrew, the word represented by our term "foolish" can be taken either as the subject or as the object of the sentence. Thus the Revised Version reads: "Leave off, ye simple ones, and live;" while Moffatt suggests: "Leave your foolish ways and live."

"The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit" (Prov. 12:5)—The word "mishpat," here rendered "right," means literally "judgment"; hence we find in Bagster's rendering of the Septuagint: "The thoughts of the righteous are true judgments; but ungodly men devise deceits." Kent suggests; "The plans of righteous men are just; the designs of wicked men are deceitful."

"There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health" (Prov. 12:18)—The Hebrew participle which is here translated "that speaketh" refers more exactly to one who speaks either idly or rashly. Moffatt renders the verse as follows: "A reckless tongue wounds like a sword, but there is healing power in thoughtful words;" and Smith: "There are those whose prating is like the thrusts of a sword."

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