Work Ethic

(Pro 31:23 KJV)  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

Every time I read this verse I wonder what this man does for a living.  It does not say he is a rabbi.  My understanding is that a rabbi was required to have a trade, for instance, the Apostle Paul was a tentmaker.  Jesus, often called “Rabbi”, was also called the Carpenter.  So what does this guy do nine to five?  It doesn’t say.

This is not an excuse to sit back and let our wives support the family.  The way it works in an ideal world is that the husband works a job and the wife generates income from the home world she maintains.  There would be many variations but there is not place for standing on street corners or eating bon-bons all day.

So?  Get to work, even if it is a minimum wage position. 

Trust the Shield

(Pro 30:5 KJV)  Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Many, if not most, people would agree that we live in times of trouble and cultural decline.  We are seeing riots called peaceful protests.  We watch people whose major crime is trespass being locked up for years without even a hearing.  We don’t know if we can trust the police or the courts.  The educational systems are turning out young people who cannot think.  There are wars and rumors of wars.

Where do we turn?  The same place we always were to turn, to the Lord.  

God is to be our “shield” (4043).  This is not a promise that we will not go through trials.  It does not mean we will face no persecution.  It is a declaration that God will be between us and the forces of destruction.  Keep in mind that God may be the source of the destruction.  The Bible is full of warnings that God will purge Israel.  Why would that not apply to us as well?

So?  Keeping trusting.  God is on the job and still in charge.  Lock your door.  Avoid dark alleys.  Use common sense.  Don’t fixate on the negative.  Don’t get consumed with worry. 

Target Practice

(Psa 11:2 KJV)  For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.

(Proverbs 29 also read)

Again I remind you, “Yes, they are out to get you.”  David may have been in a low mood.  He may have been clinically depressed.  He is not exaggerating.  There is something about the righteous that brings out the desire to destroy in the “wicked” (7563).  It isn’t even something you have done.  It is what you are.  Think about a bunch of boys walking past a deserted house that still doesn’t have all the windows broken out.  There is just something about it.

We are in difficult times but even if we were not this would still be true.  One of the hard parts of this truth is that these people may be a part of your family or church.  Notice they are working in “darkness” (652).

So?  Know they are out there.  Know that God is watching over you.  That does not mean you go down dark alleys or leave your doors unlocked.  It means you can sleep better and expect the final chapter to have a happy ending, at least for you. 

Embrace Your Calling

(Psa 8:6 KJV)  Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

(Proverbs 28 also read)

This is a verse that looks both ways.  It looks back to creation and the place of man in that creation.  It looks forward to the book of Hebrews which revisits it.  Either way we are reminded that we are not just a cipher in the universe.  We are charged with making sure that the universe can develop to its full potential.

Don’t fall into the modern trap of evolutionary thinking.  We are not just the latest blip of chance.  We are created in the image of God and are expected to fulfill that calling.  The Fall introduced sin and clouded the vision but Jesus has come to set us free and get us back on track.

So?  Embrace your calling and make a difference in your world.  You may not be able to redeem the inner city but you can certainly make your neighborhood a place that has a spot of glory. 

According to Need

(Psa 9:18 KJV)  For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.

(Proverbs. 27 also read)

There are two assumptions made in this verse.  The first is the obvious one that jumps out, the promise.  The promise is the expectation that God is going to come to the assistance of those who are “needy” (34).  When we read other places we can see that sometimes the aid will be in this life, sometimes in the next, but it will come.

It is a promise.

The second assumption that is there, but hid from me at first, is that David was well aware that there were a lot of people needing to hear this promise.  I think it may be that David himself felt like he was in that category.  I tend to think of David sitting on a throne with servants and a lot of bowing a scraping going on.  He was a man after God’s own heart.  He was on top of the world.

He still considered himself needy.

So?  Do you feel needy?  You are in good company.  Do you not feel needy?  Be grateful and realize you are one of the few who are getting it right. 

Salty Listening

(Pro 26:12 KJV)  Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

My mind was already dwelling on this verse this morning but a conversation with my wife reinforced the message.  In between being regaled with the life stories of people I don’t even know I was informed that my comments were totally off base because I did not know what I was talking about.  In one sense she was totally right.  We were discussing kidney dialysis and I have never gone through it.  In a deeper sense she was to be listened to because it is very easy for me to assume I am right, I have correct information or I am smarter than the average bear.

None of which might be true.  Of course there is always the possibility that all are true but that goes against the warning given here.  

So?  It doesn’t hurt to take what you say with a grain of salt.  The other person will be using a whole spoon full.  This is humility we are talking about.

Lighten Up

(Col 1:13 KJV)  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

(Proverbs 25 also read)

I was looking for the passage that talks about Jesus holding the universe together and as I was reading up to it I came across this thought.  We have been “delivered” (4506) from “darkness” (4655).  The previous verse talks about us being “saints in light” .  Think a moment about the statement that God is light.  

We are redeemed so that we can live in the eternal light of God Himself.  What a calling.  What an honor.  What an impossible task.  Yet it is given to us.

So?  Live in the light.  That does not mean leave all your lightbulbs burning all night.  It means to live in righteousness.  We are to be light in a dark world and we can do that as we allow Jesus to shine through ut. 

The Impossible Dream

(Psa 4:4 KJV)  Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

(Proverbs 24 also read)

Would God command us to do something that is impossible?  I would think the answer is, “No.”  If that is the case they why would He tell us not to “sin” (2398) if we cannot help it?  I would say that the answer is obvious.  Believe your Bible, not your friendly neighborhood theologian.

It does not say it is impossible to sin.  It does not say that you will never sin.  It is simply an admonition to avoid sin.  That is within the range of our actions.  The next verse gets into trusting.  Other verses talk about forgiveness.  It is all here if you keep reading.

So?  Sin not.  Of course, if you do then check out I John 1:9. 

If I Had a Hammer

(Psa 127:1 KJV)  A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

(Proverbs 23 also read)

I find here a statement of grace in the OT.  Christians often label the OT as a book based on works.  There is certainly a lot about obedience and living upright lives.  The Law as Paul saw it is not pushed as much.  Much more common are statements like this.

It is the Lord who “builds” (1129).  It is the Lord who “guards” (8104).  Does that mean people don’t need to pick up a hammer or shovel?  No.  Does this provide an excuse for sleeping on guard duty?  I would not advise trying to use it.

So?  We are to be diligent and obedient.  We are to live righteous lives.  Above all, we are to trust the Lord as we build and guard. 

After the Comma

(Psa 145:18 KJV)  The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

(Proverbs 22 also read)

Notice the promise of this verse.  We like that.  Now notice the condition.  We don’t like that.  Unfortunately one of the realities of the Bible is that God often has conditions.  We like the idea of salvation is a free gift.  We don’t like the verse that says it is given so we will live a life of good works.  

This is not a contemporary issue.  Israel had this same problem.  They liked the idea of being God’s chosen people.  They liked the idea of inheriting the land.  What they didn’t like were the conditions that God kept attaching at the end of the promise.  They got in the habit of just reading the first part of the verse.  

So?  Sometimes the phrase after the comma is the key to the promise.  Keep reading.  Ignoring the rest of the verse will not be a magic potion that makes the spell work.  It will be the hole in the balloon that lets out all the air.

Observation, not Advice

(Pro 21:9 KJV)  It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

It occurred to me as I was reading this that few people would marry someone that met the criteria of being “contentious” (4066).  I said “few” because I am not sure that there are no cases of such a thing.  Most people find themselves in this situation with a bit of surprise.  What happened to the gentle soul they exchanged vows with?  Did the change occur over night or was it an extended metamorphosis?  

What if retreating to a corner of the house isn’t enough?  What if they come looking for you when you are on the front porch?  This is a wonderful observation but doesn’t help much in the real world.  This is where the definition of love comes in.  I am thinking of being long suffering, not being provoked and so forth.  These are the product of the work of the Holy Spirit and grace in our lives.

So?  We cannot expect life to be perfect.  We can expect God to give us the tools to live in victory. 

The Modesty of Goodness

(Pro 20:6 KJV)  Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

I have repeatedly proclaimed my enthusiasm for the Hebrew [chesed].  My favorite translation of it is “lovingkindness”.  It is by far the most common translation in the NASB but a minor one in the KJV.  Here it sneaks in on us with “loyalty” (2617a) in the NASB and “goodness” in the KJV.  It stands out in the Amplified Bible because they use “loving kindness”.  One reason it stands out is it seems so out of place.

There is a bit of insight into the human personality.  This verse proclaims that most of us have a high opinion of ourselves.  We tend to think that we display this kind of character trait.  The way it is used suggests we should walk carefully here.  We are not as noble as we think we are.  In stead this implies that such people are hard to “find” (4672).

So?  A bit of humility is always good.  We are to strive for this kind of attitude.  We are not to claim it.  God will supply it through His grace and our obedience. 

Now That’s a Problem

(Pro 19:13 KJV)  A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

This verse makes me wonder how often we say, “Why me, Lord?”  Do you know anyone who has children that have lost their anchor and a spouse that was a mistake?  One of the questions people ask has to do with fault.  Was it my fault?  On both cases you might say, “Yes,” you might say, “No”.  It is one of those things that could go both ways and you may never know the answer to the problem.

I would say that the son has more of a chance to be the father’s fault.  While he was born a free agent and will make his own decisions, as a father you have a lot of molding to do.  You also have an example.  Still, at the end of the day he has free will and will exercise it.

The spouse, wife in this example, is a little more complex.  When courting people put forth their best foot.  Think of it as social make up.  If you have ever seen a celebrity without their make-up it can be quite a shock.  People are good at putting their best foot forward.  God promises us the grace to deal with the people in our lives.

So?  I don’t see any blame in this verse.  I do see an awareness of the problems of life.  Follow the standard advice.  Let the past go after you learn from it and begin to build a life of faith and joy.  God will join you on the journey. 

Avoiding “Gotcha”

(Psa 142:3 KJV)  When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.

(Proverbs 18 also read)

I guess this is saying, “Yes, they are out to get you.”  Maybe you have never felt that way but this indicates that there are people who are preparing a “hidden” (2934) “trap” (6431a) and they want you to fall into it.  The context is David feeling like he is boxed in.  The title, which I think is in the text, says it was written while he was hiding in a cave.

I don’t know about you but I have never hidden in a cave.  If I had a cave when my grandchildren were visiting I might find a reason to hide in it, but no such luck.  There is a lesson for us in this though.  Our lives are full of quiet little traps that are designed to drag us down.  Some are the active work of Satan.  Others are just the way life is.

How do we avoid them?  Two thoughts came to mind.  First, stick to the well traveled paths.  If you are on the sidewalk you will probably not find too many pits to fall into.  If you are forced to go your own way then look for the footprints of those who have gone before you.  They will give you a safe route.

So?  Be aware.  If you are driving the speed limit then the cop behind the tree will have no interest in chasing you.  That may not be true if you have doughnuts. 

Self-Confident Fools

(Pro 17:7 KJV)  Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

Proverbs has a lot to say about fools.  In this chapter it comes up seven times.  The actual Hebrew has the idea of open, as in vacant.  The Amplified Bible throws in some helpful adjectives:  Empty headed and self-confident.  The first is usually obvious but we sometimes confuse the second for actual ability.

Don’t be convinced just because someone is sure of themselves.  What I find is a time to be wary is when someone tells me something they read on the internet or heard on You Tube.  That should wave the “fool” (5036) flag rigorously.

So?  Wisdom and truth have always been found in the Bible.  In our day and age that should be a double-down because our culture has turned its back on both.  Read and contemplate.  Compare what God says to what you neighborhood guru is proclaiming. 

Worship from the Heart

(Psa 141:2 KJV)  Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

(Proverbs 16 also read)

This gives us an insight into the place of the law and the necessity of applying it.  Notice that there is substitution going on.  The one you might notice the most is the substitution of lifted hands for an “offering” (4503).  The NASB is a better reading of this because the offering being offered is not a blood sacrifice but a grain offering.  Don’t get sidetracked by that because according to the law it is still supposed to be offered and done in the temple.

While God has rigorous standards and unbending moral demands, He is more concerned about attitude than ritual.  

So?  It is a common theme in the Old Testament that God wants our love and obedience more that rituals offered as dull routine.  He is a living God and wants worship from the heart. 

Adjectives Imagined

(Pro 15:6 KJV)  In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

The Amplified Bible likes to throw in the translators’ interpretations.  In this chapter I began to notice their comments on “righteous” (6662).  The adjectives they throw in are “uncompromisingly” and “consistently”.  There is no basis in the text but I like the idea from a theological perspective.

We need to learn the difference.  There are some things we can incorporate into our doctrine because they are in the scripture.  There are other ideas we need to handle with care and make it clear that it is our opinion.

So?  Read.  Study.  Share.  Be clear in what you have to say. 

Good Times

(Pro 14:9 KJV)  Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

The Amplified Bible likes to add things.  Sometimes they are deeper definitions and other times they are cool take-offs.  This verse has one of the latter.  In the first phrase it adds, “but sin mocks the fools.”  Not in the text but an interesting comment.  People with evil intent tend to look down on believers.  They think living morally is silly.  What this insert is pointing out is that God has the last laugh.  The result of their depravity will come back to bite them.  You may not see it.  They may not admit it.  It is still true.

I remember being in Vietnam and when making my way back to my bunk I saw a guy laying in the gutter.  He was passed out from all the alcohol he had “enjoyed”.  The next day he was talking about what a great time he had.  I asked him what he had done.  He said, “I can’t remember but I had a great time.”  

So?  No thanks.  Don’t get excited about their reports of the good times. 

Leavings of Gold

(Pro 13:22 KJV)  A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

Again the Amplified Bible throws in some interesting interpretation.  It gives an opinion about the “inheritance” (5157) by adding “of moral stability and goodness”.  I like that.  I would not make it a doctrinal position because that is not what the Bible says here but the general principle is good.  Our example in how we live our lives is a vital part of what we leave to our decedents.  It may even be the most important thing we can leave.

My father did not leave much in the way of wealth.  He left a fortune in example.  He passed it on to his boys.  His boys passed it on to their children.  I can still see that working in lives today when whatever money was left is long gone.

So?  Get your priorities straight.  It isn’t how many dollars you leave it is how much “moral stability and goodness” you demonstrated. 

Standard Response

(Pro 12:22 KJV)  Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

The Amplified Bible has an interesting spin on “abomination” (8441).  They interpret it as “extremely disgusting and hateful”.  This might be hateful to those who look at certain terms, read them, acknowledge them and move right along.  This brings it a little closer to home.  God would express what we call “righteous indignation” at those who do not tell the truth.  Part of that is because Jesus identified Himself with truth and when we play it fast and loose it is like spitting in His face.  Part of it is that God wants a righteous church and lies undermine that.

So?  This is another reminder that we are called to be different from those we see and meet.  Our standards are the standards of God, not culture. 

Don’t Forget to Write

(Psa 131:2 KJV)  Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.

(Proverbs 11 also read)

This is an interesting picture, one that we might not come up with on our own.  In case you run in delicate circles, being “weaned” (1580) means moving from the breast to the bowl.  It is when the nursing becomes being spoon fed.  In our day where many women never nurse their children and those who do only stick with it a short time, we miss the point.  It was not unusual for a child to rely on his mother for years.  Being weaned meant a step toward maturity.

As we move to maturity, which is implied here, we need to keep in mind that God does not abandon us and send us out the door.  In some cultures, at a certain age, a boy child was sent out of the harem to the campfire.  He went from the comfort of the women’s tent to the conflict of the men’s world.  Here the rejection is not a factor.  Though we move on in some ways we always will have the fellowship and comfort of the Lord.

So?  Grow up.  Move on.  Keep in contact.  You will need it. 

What Is Your Real Target?

(Pro 10:2 KJV)  Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

Once again the literal quality of the KJV comes through with an understanding that we need to have.  That is the understanding that there is evil in our world and it shows up everywhere.

Here the emphasis seems to be on gathering wealth.  "Gains” (214) is not a bad word.  The “treasures” of the KJV might get to the point better here though.  It isn’t just a matter of earning enough to keep the wolf away from the door or to provide for old age.  This is talking about the things that you consider of great value.  Usually we think of financial wealth but it could be leisure time or grandchildren.  Again it is not a bad word.

“Wickedness” (7562) (ill-gotten NASB) does qualify.  It is a word rooted in the cesspool of moral depravity.  It is wrong priorities and a seeking after things that are just wrong.

So?  Your goals are important.  Even more important is the attitude behind those goals and priorities.  Consider wisely.

Cross-Referencing

(Pro 9:11 KJV)  For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.

As I was reading this another verse came to mind and I put them together.  Note the words of Jesus,

(Mat 6:27 KJV)  Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

We would think this is a rhetorical question and Jesus probably meant it that way in His context but I notice when comparing it with this verse in Proverbs and other cross references suggested that there are ways to extend you life.  To see the point you need to look at the NASB,

(Mat 6:27 NAS77) "And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span?

The basic thing Jesus is criticizing is worry or concern.  

Now look at Proverbs again.  It says that wisdom can extend out lives.  One of the key points of wisdom is to fear God, not man.

So?  Life choices based on the wisdom of God do have an effect.  It is up to us to apply what we know to what we do. 

Children and Evil

(Psa 127:5 KJV)  Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

(Proverbs 8 also read)

One of the big questions of life is how to raise children.  Part of that is looking at what you turn out and asking if you did a good job.  While this does not give instructions in the process, it does give an indication of how to judge the results.

Do your children confront evil?  The two key words here are “speak” (1696), which is usually translated that way, and “enemies” (340 NASB, 341 KJV).  I was puzzled in the different words for “enemies” and found that one is the noun, which is used once, and the other (341) is an active participle, whatever that is, used 283 times.  I would look to the “active” part and say these are people out to get you.

So?  I am looking at children in their engagement with the forces of evil in the world.  Are they standing up and speaking out or are they going along to get along?  It gives me another way to look at raising children. 

Ah, to Be Young

(Pro 7:7 KJV)  And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,

I am enjoying reading the Amplified Bible this month.  It has become clear that it is more of a commentary than a translation.  Some of the suggestions it makes are interesting and do add a deeper insight into the possibilities of the wording.  Consider at your own risk.

What I found interesting here was the added words [empty-headed and empty-hearted] for the “naive” (6612a).  It fits because one of the meanings of the word is open.  I have liked the idea that the naive of the world are often that way because they have an open mind with no borders or standards.  The heart part goes along well.

So?  Read, study, think and come to conclusions.  Do not be open-minded in the Biblical sense.

Bringing in the Sheaves

(Psa 126:6 KJV)  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

(Proverbs 6 also read)

I saw in this a reminder of the living hope that we have.  So often we are wading through the “Slough of Despond” and can’t see the rising shore ahead.  We go forth in struggle and endure in faith.  What keeps us going is that vision of the future rooted in our faith in God.

Here we see testimony to how our burden, a “bag” (4901) of “seed” (2233) can, and will, turn into “sheaves” (485).  We have a song we sing that implies bringing in the sheaves is the produce of evangelism.  Here it is the blessings of life in general.

So?  Hang in there.  Be faithful.  He will be. 

A Choir of Three

(Rev 3:20 KJV)  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

(Proverbs 5 also read)

The bulletin said “men’s choir”.  When they assembled it had three members.  Where I come from that is a trio but this is Texas.  That is unimportant.  They sang “Since Jesus Came into My Heart”.  It is an old stand-by that means a lot to people who grew up in churches that loved to sing.  As they began I was a bit “ho, hum”.  Then I began to listen with my heart as well as my ears.

The last few mornings I have been reading over the words to that song and they have been blessing me over and over.  God wants to meet us in our time of worship whether that be corporate or individual.  He speaks to us in a multitude of ways.  When I read the words and compared my hymnal with the one at church I found out mine had five verses as opposed to three.  That was an extra bonus.

So?  Open the ears of your heart and allow God to speak to you.  For us older folk that might mean being open to listening to new “stuff”.  To youngsters it would be just the opposite.  God speaks.  We must listen. 

Promise or Common Sense

(Psa 122:6 KJV)  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

(Proverbs 4 also read)

This is a verse that we hear quoted a lot, or at least I do.  It is used to express support for Israel.  As I was reading through today I found myself wondering is this is one of those verses that only applied to ancient Israel or was it still a promise.

I was thinking that Jerusalem was the site of the Temple but if this was written by David the temple had not been built yet.  Since this Psalm does not have an author indicated and we know that Solomon wrote at least one Psalm, it is possible that the presence of the Temple is key.  

So?  Whether this is a promise or not, it is still something that we should be doing.  Jerusalem is in the Middle East.  The Middle East has the potential to pull world powers into war the way the Balkans did in World War I.  We should indeed be praying for the peace of Jerusalem. 

The Theology of Punctuation

(Psa 121:1 KJV)  A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

(Proverbs 3 also read)

There are places where the KJV misses it but we are so used to it and in love with the poetic nature that we don’t stop to think.  This is one of those.  Do you see the difference in this verse?

(Psa 121:1 NAS77) A Song of Ascents. I Will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From whence shall my help come?

Most of the modern translations make the second part of this verse a question.  That becomes obviously necessary when you read the next verse.

(Psa 121:2 KJV)  My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

If you are stating that your help comes from the mountains then why are you saying it comes from the Lord.  A little reading of the OT will let you see the constant problem Israel had with the “high places”.  These were substitute worship centers that God had demanded to be destroyed.  We find that king after king did not do so.

So?  The hills may be alive with the sound of music.  Nature may inspire you and remind you of your creator.  Never forget that they are reminders.  God is our source and His written word is our most precious physical resource.

Self Teach

(Pro 2:2 KJV)  So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

I have been hearing a lot of sermon reviews lately.  I have been hearing comments in response to pod casts and You Tube videos.  What hits me is how often the comments reflect how entertaining the speaker was.  They will share some amazing insight accompanied by charts, graphs and power point slides and the listener will go, “Wow”.  

What is happening is that the listener is letting someone else do their thinking for them.  We are to seek knowledge by using our own thinking, reading and prayer.  The Amplified Bible gets this across by throwing in the words  [seeking it conscientiously and striving for it eagerly].  In effect they are doing just what the verse says we should not be doing.

So?  Listen and benefit by the teaching of others but never let it substitute for your own diligent seeking of truth. 

De-calcification

(Pro 1:1 KJV)  The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

As I begin Proverbs again, I have decided to read it in the Amplified Bible this month.  What caught my attention in the first verse was their explanation of what a proverb was.  It calls them (truths obscurely expressed, maxims).  Interesting.  While they may be obscure, they are also supposed to clarify.

It often helps to understand complex issues when we look through the eyes of another or read what they are reading.  I know that I enjoy the times that a translation will put things literally.  That makes it necessary for my brain to engage.  I have to wake up and get off automatic pilot to do that.  It is a win/win.

So?  Maybe it would help if you read in a different translation, not for a permanent thing, but as a way of shaking loose the calcification in the brain.