Verbal Abuse

(Proverbs 19:23 KJV)  The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

I don’t know what translation is your default but in both the NASB and the KJV you see words in italics.  This tells us that those actual words are not in the Hebrew but are added by the translators for understanding.  Okay.  I can live with that.  But I would rather not.

Here is my proposal, leave out the words in italics and read it again.  When you do that it becomes “the fear of the Lord to life.”  Translators like to make it easy so they supply verbs.  When you supply a verb you add your interpretation.  Which is better the “leads” of the NASB or the “tendeth” of the KJV.  The first has the feeling of certainty.  The second suggests a possibility.  The Hebrew ties fear of God with life, period.

So?  Pick your own verb, within reason.  Obviously you don’t want to pick “confuses.”  Or maybe you do.  Leave out the verb and get to what God said literally.  Seek truth and understanding.  Obey and rejoice.