It's good to read different Bible translations once in a while, because the language in differing versions can spark entire new investigations as to meaning. Even at times, maybe give you quite a shock.
Many of us are familiar with the verse that says "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10). The entire verse, from the NIV, reads, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." But just the other day, I read a verse from my 2015 Amplified version that made me laugh out loud:
The beginning of wisdom is: Get wisdom! (Proverbs 4:7)
Why did I laugh? It surprised and delighted me, because I never saw it stated this baldly before, complete with exclamation mark. My NIV says, "Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom." The NKJV says, "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom." While faithful translations, these just don't have the same effect. I also laughed because it appears to be a paradox or circular loop, yet we know it's neither, but a deliberate literary choice for emphasis and perhaps even humorous effect. The third reason I laughed is that I didn't know there were two discrete biblical statements about how to get wisdom (fear God, and just plain get wisdom). It's this language that revealed that truth to me. The entire Amplified translation, with its included bracketed material, says this:
The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and Godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]!
And fortunately, we can receive Godly wisdom for the asking, according to James 1:5, so Lord, we ask You for the wisdom that marks the beginning of wisdom, and Your help and presence as we start on the path to seeking it all our days.
Amen.
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