(Prov 26:10 NIV) Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or any passer-by.
This morning we continue our series entitled, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” This is a very interesting verse, but not necessarily because of what it says. Let me explain. The Bible we read in English was actually written in Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic. It is therefore obvious that for us to read the Bible in English someone (or a group of people) must have translated it. But translating the Bible is no easy task. The English language has the most translations (several hundred) and I personally have 32 translations on my computer. I know this can be very confusing, but for the average believer it is not. The average follower of Christ finds a translation he or she can read comfortably and they endeavor to grow in Christ. When comparing scriptures between translations, like I normally do every morning before writing Today’s Word, most of the time you find that the variations are slight and minimal. But this morning I found something strange. The Hebrew text of this verse is so obscure that the variation in the translations is stark. Look at the difference in the following translations of this verse:
- YLT: Great is the Former of all, And He is rewarding a fool, And is rewarding transgressors.
- JND: A master roughly worketh everyone: he both hireth the fool and hireth passers-by.
- RSV: Like an archer who wounds everybody is he who hires a passing fool or drunkard.
- Knox: The law settles quarrels at last, yet silence the fool, and feud there shall be none.
- Berkeley: A master performs all things, but he who hires a fool hires a passer-by.
- NASB: Like an archer who wounds everyone, so is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.
- TEV: An employee who hires any fool that comes along is only hurting everyone concerned.
- NKJV: The great God who formed everything gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.
- MSG: Hire a fool or a drunk and you shoot yourself in the foot.
It’s obviously difficult to provide you the normal commentary I do on the verse, so I will seek to glean a few golden nuggets from the different translations that apply to us today.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Our God, who sits on the circle of the earth (Isa 40:22), will see to it that we all reap what we sow (Gal 6:7). The fool and the transgressor will receive their reward.
2. Carefully consider whom you allow into your organization. Indiscriminately hiring “just anybody” will eventually harm you (your reputation) and all those you have influence over.
3. Never expose yourself or your people to unproductive influences. Surround yourself and those you have oversight of with people that will make both you and them better!
4. Both wisdom and foolishness can be transferred by association (Prov 13:20).
Closing Confession: Father, I honor, worship, and praise You for Your sovereignty. You sit on the circle of the earth. You have all power. You are the only true God. I acknowledge no other deity and I call upon no other name! I worship You today and every day of my life. You will see to it that we all reap what we sow. I understand that vengeance and recompense are Yours, so I don’t attempt to be judge and jury in the lives of others. I leave that to You. But You have given me the power to make decisions and I declare that those decisions will be birthed out of my prayer life. I carefully and prayerfully consider whom I bring on to my organization and whom I allow into my life and the lives of those I have oversight and responsibility of. I bring in the right people, who provide the right influence, who add value to the organization and our people, and who make us all better! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
