Relax in Wisdom

(Proverbs 5:2 KJV)  That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.

The mystery of a translator’s mind confuses me, or is it the other way around, the confusion of a translator’s mind mystifies me?  I refer to the word translated simply by the KJV as “keep” (5341) but nuanced by the NASB as “reserve”.  Same word; same context.  The simple meaning is to “guard” or “watch” so “keep” makes sense but where do they get “reserve”? 

I find the simple, literal translation more useful.  I would demand “guard” if I were on the committee.  Wisdom guards our speech.  There is a difference between witnessing and trying to win against a stacked deck.  Jesus may have been referring to this when He said,

(Matthew 7:6 KJV)  Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

It is almost impossible to explain virtues like chastity, prudence and integrity to people saturated in prurience, extravagance and deceit. 

So?  Don’t feel like you must always defend God, get the last word or change a mind.  Remember that it took the angel of death to persuade Pharaoh.  Jesus didn’t manage to get his message across to the Pharisees either.