Enticings and Responses

My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.
-Proverbs 1:10

"My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them."

What an interesting scripture.

"My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them."

Hundreds of times have I read this scripture, and dozens of times have I looked at it and considered. Never before have I thought of every word.

My. Son. If. Sinners. Entice. You. Do. Not. Give. In. To. Them.

I've always read this before as, "My son, when sinners try to convince you to go their way, don't give in!"

But that's not what it says.

"My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them."

The word used here for "entice" is the word "pathah," and means "to be simple, open-minded, deceived, persuaded and/or seduced."

"My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them."
"My son, if sinners persuade you, do not give in to them."
"My son, if sinners convince you, do not give in to them."
"My son, if sinners deceive you, do not give in to them."
"My son, if sinners seduce you, do not give in to them."

My son, if you find that you have been persuaded by sinners, do not give in to them.

The concept here is that you have been convinced. It's not a "when they attempt to convince you..." it's an, "if they succeed in persuading you..."

Do not give in to them.

If they've opened their mouths and have deluded you... Remember this, and don't give in!

If you've been deceived, the only way to realize it is to be forewarned. This is what is happening here. The reader, by reading this is being forewarned that if they are deceived, they can still choose what is right. After this, the writer explains thoughts and intentions that are proof positive of a sinner. He essentially outlines what to look for in someone's plans, and if you find any of these, you can be sure that if you believe them, you have been duped... Remember, you don't have to give in... So don't!
-I
-Me
-David
-Suave'