Proverbs 4:11-13

Proverbs 4:11-13 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. ¹²When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. ¹³Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life (KJV).

Reflection

The term “straitened” in the King James could have meanings to the some people queer community that were not intended when King James Bible was translated. To the queer community, the word straight refers to people who are not gay, lesbian, bisexual, or trans-identified. While the word straitened here is not about queer and straight people, an application can be made to the queer community.

Straitened could mean having enough room. Good judgment gives ourselves and others enough room that nobody stumbles. Straight people with good spiritual judgment do not try to coerce queer people into being straight. Wise queer people do not attempt to put themselves in a straightjacket, by living as straight people. Gay, and bisexual people who have good spiritual judgment do not go against God by being somebody they were not created to be. And spiritually wise queers do not try to enforce their gender expression on others. They do not discriminate against people who they feel are too butch, or who they feel are not butch enough, and they do not treat trans-identified people as poor cousins. Deep spiritual judgment gives queer people the ability to reach out in love and compassion to the straight community, even though some people in the straight community have deeply hurt the queer community.