Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 19:27 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge. "
Proverbs 19:27
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
25 Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26 He who robs his father and drives away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
27 If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.
29 Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
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This is a good warning for those who have had a sound education. They should be careful about listening to people who claim to teach them, but really try to pull them away from the good principles in which they were raised.
Notice two things. First, there is a kind of teaching that looks like instruction, but really leads young people toward ruin. The friends of vice will offer to teach them “free” thinking and stylish talk. They will show them how to excuse the sins they want to commit, and how to quiet their own consciences. They also try to free them from the restraints of their upbringing and make them feel clever and fashionable. This is the kind of teaching that causes people to turn away from the sound words they should hold fast in faith and love.
Second, it is wise for young people to refuse such teaching, just as a snake ignores the charm meant to trap it. They should be afraid of any talk that plants loose ideas in the mind. And if they are already tied to such company, they should break away from it. They have heard enough, or more than enough, and should listen no longer to bad company, which corrupts good morals.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 19:1
"Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool."
Proverbs 19:2
"It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty with one’s feet and miss the way."
Proverbs 19:3
"The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against the LORD."
Proverbs 19:4
"Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend."
Proverbs 19:5
"A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free."
Proverbs 19:6
"Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts."
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