Hands-off Righteousness

(Proverbs 13:6 KJV)  Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

I like both the KJV and NASB on the beginning of this verse but I like the margin’s suggestion of the literal meaning even more.  It says “blamelessness of way.”  In other words the literal meaning seems to say that righteousness is an automatic guide to keeping us away from sin.  I went through the sixteen translations I have in my software and the only one that put it this way was the Douay-Rheims translation, the old standard of the Catholic church from the same era as the KJV.

(Proverbs 13:6 DRB)  Justice keepeth the way of the innocent: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

Scientists are experimenting with self driven cars now.  We are still a way off, but big airliners have something called an auto-pilot that sounds like what we are talking about.  Put in the right settings, take your hands off, trust and stay alert. 

So?  Righteousness is provided by forgiveness and cleansing.  It is the action of the blood of Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  These are important steps.  Don’t leave home without them.