With their mouths, the godless destroy their neighbors but through knowledge the righteous escape.
A person reading the book of Proverbs is looking for God’s wisdom or trying to learn about His word. Loving your neighbor should be in the hearts of all those who love the Lord; it is His desire for you and me. So how does a believer of the Lord love their neighbors? They share their testimony about what God has done for them and that the same God can love them and do miracles for them. I decided to use the NIV English translation of the Bible for this part of Proverbs cause the KJV used the word hypocrite rather than godless, which has different definitions. The word godless means one who doesn’t obey God and doesn’t care to. A hypocrite is a Greek word the means professional stage performer. A Christian that is a hypocrite does everything for the show, not for the Lord or the church, but themselves. Proverbs 11:9 is strictly separating the godless from the righteous, not the hypocrites.
Many Christians believe and say, King James Version only, but they put stumbling blocks in front of others who love the Lord and want to read His word. The King James English Bible was the first widely printed English, but not the first Bible translated into English. Since it was printed by the British Empire, there was a lot of money to print it very heavily. As the English language change through time and history, many still love, the romance KJV Bible Shakespeare language. No one speaks the King James English way anymore since that was 600 years ago, so it is very difficult to understand. English is already a very hard language to learn. So pressuring, the KJV is the only Bible to read and leave a person spiritually lost, is a godless and hypocritic lie. Since the KJV Bible was the first widely printed Bible, many Christians still love it. Many believe the Lord Jesus talks like Romeo and Juliet, from the play by William Shakespeare. The KJV, only Bible-believing Christians, are stumbling block to others who read the NIV, NASB, NLT, or Message Bible. My friend Nathan is a serious KJV Bible-only reading Christian. Once during church potluck, I saw him debating the accuracy of the KJV, with another church member. He got very upset as they would compare, verse for verse, his face got cherry red, full of anger, which goes against scripture, to lose your temper so easy.
My friend Nathan’s belief is that KJV Shakespeare English is sacred and holy when he leads the church sounding like Hamlet from a Shakespeare play when he prays. If any Christian is being a hypocrite, they will want their words to sound holy when their hearts are really godless. The KJV Bible only Christians, call all other Bibles are works of the Devil. I simply ask, what about Bibles in languages like French, Japanese, or Spanish? Are you going to teach them all English that was spoken 600 years ago? Brothers and sisters, I am not bashing the King James Bible at all, but what I am saying, don’t destroy the faith of other Christians cause it doesn’t sound like, “ Oh Romeo, where art thou? “ Worship God’s word, not how it sounds or reads, the Lord God is always in control, and He will not allow His word to be polluted, like the hearts of hypocritical godless people, who want to condemn anyone who doesn’t sound like Macbeth. God bless you all, the Lord Jesus loves you, and so do I. Samuel J Head.
I noticed 10 times the KJV/NKJV translates this hebrew word as hypocritic but many other versions translate it as godless. I’m not sure yet which translation is more accurate, and am trying to do some research.
You wrote that “Proverbs 11:9 is strictly separating the godless from the righteous, not the hypocrites.” But you don’t offer any evidence for this statement. It seems both words fit well in this context. Can you explain how you came to your conclusion?
I appreciate your time. Have a blessed day!
Hypocrite Is more Greek word, meaning performer stage actor. I like the NASB translation myself. But I like different English Bible.