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By Van Sprague

What’s the difference between these two verses?

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”

And

“There is a way right to a man, but its end the way of death.”

These are what Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25 say (Unless otherwise stated: Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Used by permission. All rights reserved). The first is how the verse commonly appears with words that have been supplied by translators (indicated in some Bibles by italic words). Most of the time the supplied words are helpful tools. Sometimes they get in the way.

In this case, they do a fine job of bringing out the point of the proverb. However, I wanted to take a moment to encourage readers to consider passages with and without the italicized text. In the case of the book of Proverbs, you may find that such a practice concentrates the power of the verses. Proverbs are often designed to be hearty statements to mull over. They may seem incomplete, but as you “fill in the blanks” you are meditating on the subject and learning about it more deeply.

You may come up with a similar concept as the translators, but you will have arrived at it due to your reasoning, not theirs. The exercise will develop your understanding and can strengthen your heart.

Here is an example of a thought process through these proverbs using this method:

“There is a way right to a man,”

Okay, this way is good for this man.

“…but its end the way of death.”

Wait! Then that’s not good. How was it right if its end is the way of death? Oh, it was right to that man, but that didn’t mean it was right. It just seemed right to him.

So, just because something seems right, it doesn’t mean that it is or the outcome will be desirable.

Do people do things that they think are right, but they are wrong?

Yes.

Why do they do it?

Maybe they are misinformed. Or, if they have the information, they may be misinterpreting it because they have a bias against the truth.

Why not change, if the end is death?

They think it is the right way.

Perhaps they aren’t motivated to look because the way they have chosen is already comfortable and seems convenient to them. Maybe they have had no motivation to search for a different way.

Whatever the case may be, no matter how sincerely they follow their way, if it is wrong, it is wrong. I sure don’t want to think I’m right, only to find out that I’m not when it is too late. How can I know what is right now? Don’t follow man’s way. Follow God’s. Do your own diligent study of His Word and walk in it.

Van Sprague is an evangelist at the Church of Christ at Houston Park. He has a wife and three children. You would be a welcome guest at any of their services. Sunday morning Bible class is at 9, with worship after, at 10. Worship on Sunday evening is at 5, and Wednesday night Bible class is at 6.