To do what is right and just is more pleasing to ADONAI than sacrifice.
CJB
I’m a simple kind of gal. I love the poetic richness of the KJV but there are some times when I like to read other versions of the Bible as well. I’ve found it helpful in my walk as a believer but also as a parent, to learn the language of various Bible versions. I don’t talk in a ‘King James’ way. I can talk in a ‘ESV’ way but I often talk in a paraphrased way. I want to teach my children to walk in the ways of the Lord…to instill in them a love of God’s ways and discussion is one of my most influential and common ways that I can do this. It has something to do with living every day with my children- allowing them to see my life- letting them share in my life, that equals= relationship. This is why I tend to speak in paraphrased proverbs…it’s a natural thing for me to do.
I make mistakes. My children make mistakes. That’s okay. I don’t want them to grow up in an atmosphere of fear- scared to make a mistake. I don’t parent out of fear. None of that pleases the Lord.
Yes, it might good that my children would sing in the church choir, help lead the Sunday School class, and score highly in their Bible study curriculum test. But that alone does not mean that their hearts are serving the Lord.
I can sacrifice my career to stay at home and teach my children, cook from scratch and sew all my own clothes yet my heart can still be far from what the Lord desires.
Good works aren’t bad. But by themselves they are just religion. Religion is simply ‘man trying to work their way to earn God’s favour’. God isn’t interested in religion. He’s after relationship! He desires us to simply trust and obey Him more so than running around trying to prove our worth or earn His favour.
Proverbs 21:3
To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
NIV
To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
King James Version
To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
New KJV
Doing what is righteous and just
is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Holman Christian Standard
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
Amplified
Clean living before God and justice with our neighbors
mean far more to God than religious performance.
The Message
Father God would have you live right, to spend time with Him, to think of others, rather than running around working hard, trying to impress, by working for Him.
Susan’s paraphrase.
Again, some might say this is heretical of me to do but it’s real life- it’s allowing the word to penetrate my heart and my life. It’s then how I speak with my family. Speaking biblical principles in an everyday way that we each relate to. Speaking
What about you? Do you encourage yourself in the word this way? Or any other ways? How would you paraphrase this proverb? Go on, have a go – leave a comment and link to your post so other’s can see it and be encouraged. 🙂
How are you Susan? Religion vs Relationship is my theme for 2009. A history of legalistic KJV Only churches turned off a lot of people and nurnt me out. PTL we’re basking in the Light now.
Hi Robin,
Yes, I’ve sensed that “Religion vs Relationship” has been your natural theme for awhile now. I loved the audio download where you shared about homeschool fear, which is in a similar vein to your ‘theme’.
we’ve been sick with whopping cough…settled into our new state yet again…but otherwise, just okay. I’ll be honest – I’m not on a mountain peak at the moment, but nor am I in the depths of despair…rather just putting one foot in front of the other, while giving praise to Our Father God.
O:-)