The Nugget:
Pro 5:6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them. (KJV)
Pro 5:6 So that she findeth not the level path of life: Her ways are unstable, and she knoweth it not. (ASV, American Standard Version)
Pro 5:6 She never keeps her mind on the road of life; her ways are uncertain, she has no knowledge. (Bible in Basic English)
Pro 5:6 Lest she should ponder the path of life, her ways wander, she knoweth not whither. (Darby)
Pro 5:6 she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it. (ESV)
Pro 5:6 Lest she should make level the path leading to life,
her paths are unstable but she does not know it. (NET Bible)
My Comment:
In Proverbs the father is warning his son about the dangers of associating with wayward and unstable women.
It is often the case in the Bible that warnings addressed to young men are equally appropriate for young women. Young women need to beware of the dangers of associating with or committing themselves to young men who are unstable, that is, not able to make firm decisions about their life path that would better themselves or secure a stable spiritual and financial future.
I had never noticed, until yesterday, that Proverbs 5:6 in the KJV, “her ways are moveable,” is rendered in many other English translations, “her ways are unstable.”
That means I will need to add a cross reference at Proverbs 5:6 for the words are moveable or, unstable to James 1:8,
Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (KJV)
Jas 1:8 A person who has doubts is thinking about two different things at the same time and can’t make up his mind about anything. (GW, God’s Word translation)
Jas 1:7, 8 If you are that kind of person, you can’t make up your mind, and you surely can’t be trusted. So don’t expect the Lord to give you anything at all. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)
I noticed, many years ago, that when I was involved in a neighborhood church in Southwest Detroit, many adults were unable or unwilling to make a firm commitment to take a position of responsibility or leadership in the church. They found it very hard to make any future-oriented decisions or commitments. This seemed to be a cultural trait that was difficult to overcome or remedy. Some, over time, as they grew in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18) made progress in their reliability and dependability.
Hidden away among the helpful cross references given for James 1:8 for the word unstable is the reference to 2 Corinthians 12:20, 21,
2Co 12:20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
2Co 12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. (KJV)
2Co 12:21 I am afraid God will make me ashamed when I visit you again. I will feel like crying because many of you have never given up your old sins. You are still doing things that are immoral, indecent, and shameful. (CEV)
2Co 12:21 I’m afraid that when I come to you again, my God may humble me. I may have to grieve over many who formerly led sinful lives and have not changed the way they think and act about the perversion, sexual sins, and promiscuity in which they have been involved. (GW)
I think the key to solve this problem for any person who is serious about their faith in Christ is to gain spiritual strength from what is taught in 2 Timothy 1:7,
2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2Ti 1:7 God didn’t give us a cowardly spirit but a spirit of power, love, and good judgment. (GW)
2Ti 1:7 God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control. (CEV)
The experience of every truly saved person should conform to Titus 2:11-14,
Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (KJV)
Tit 2:11 After all, God’s saving kindness has appeared for the benefit of all people.
Tit 2:12 It trains us to avoid ungodly lives filled with worldly desires so that we can live self-controlled, moral, and godly lives in this present world.
Tit 2:13 At the same time we can expect what we hope for-the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Tit 2:14 He gave himself for us to set us free from every sin and to cleanse us so that we can be his special people who are enthusiastic about doing good things. (GW)
Tit 2:11 God has shown us how kind he is by coming to save all people.
Tit 2:12 He taught us to give up our wicked ways and our worldly desires and to live decent and honest lives in this world.
Tit 2:13 We are filled with hope, as we wait for the glorious return of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
Tit 2:14 He gave himself to rescue us from everything that is evil and to make our hearts pure. He wanted us to be his own people and to be eager to do right. (CEV)