Proverbs 24:16
From Textus Receptus
Proverbs 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
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The Modern Twist
With each of the different modern bible translations on the market today, they corrupt this verse by removing accountability from the person that falls into mischief willfully, and instead places blame directly on the condition that surrounds them. This change therefore allows the individual an excuse for their actions, and removes blame due to their wicked intentions.
For these individuals who wish to claim ignorance in the sight of God, they will be in for a rude awakening on the Day of Judgment as God does not excuse ignorance, and they will be judged.
With that being said let’s look at the changes in this verse in detail. Before we do however, we need to understand that mischief is defined by ones behavior, whereas calamity is based on a situation or event that occurs.
The Terms
calamity
- n. pl. ca·lam·i·ties
- An event that brings terrible loss, lasting distress, or severe affliction; a disaster: A hurricane would be a calamity for this low-lying coastal region.
- Dire distress resulting from loss or tragedy.
mischief
- n.
- Behavior that causes discomfiture or annoyance in another.
- An inclination or tendency to play pranks or cause embarrassment.
- One that causes minor trouble or disturbance: The child was a mischief in school.
- Damage, destruction, or injury caused by a specific person or thing
The Translations
The ESV and NASB use the phrase “the wicked stumble in time of calamity”, whereas the NIV and NKJV use the phrase “the wicked stumble by calamity”.
All of the modern translations; NASB, ESV, NIV and the NKJV place the blame directly on the situation instead of the person themselves. By making this change to the scriptures, it implies that those who are wicked are only wicked due to some unforeseen circumstance which is completely out of their control, and of course, not due to any fault of their own.
After all it was the situation that caused them to stumble, not the evil desires of their heart as according to modern translations.
- (ESV) for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.
- (NASB) For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.
- (NIV) for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity.
- (NKJV) For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.
Even though the NKJV claims to be a modern updated version of the KJV, it clearly isn’t. The KJV renders the verse completely different as it states that “the wicked shall fall into mischief”, not because of a condition that befall upon them, but because of their wicked desire for mischief.
- (KJV) For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
Those who embrace wicked deeds are only set on one thing, separation from God. By stating that the wicked shall fall into mischief places the blame directly on the person. It removes the option for claiming ignorance, and clearly exposes the stubbornness of their hardened heart. Instead of rising up again like the just man, the wicked choose to embrace mischief.
- James 4:4 KJV Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
The wicked shall fall into mischief because they have no fear or reverence for God.
Sounds a lot like modern day, doesn’t it?
Unfortunately, I have to place some of the blame on the teachers, who even though they know these translations are corrupted; they continue to teach their flock without any regard to the truth whatsoever.
I can’t stress this point enough within the churches of today; Ignorance is not an excuse anyone can claim.
Repent!
