1:14

In this verse, the first line gives an invitation. The second line gives the result of the invitation.

14a Throw in your lot with us;

14b let us all share one purse”—

1:14a

Throw in your lot with us: There are two ways to interpret this clause here:

(1) The clause is figurative. This is an invitation for the young man to join the gang and share their fate. For example:

Come join us. (New Century Version)

(2) The clause is literal. The proceeds of the robberies were distributed from a common purse by casting lots. This is an invitation for the young man to cast his lot along with the other members of the gang.

English versions such as the Berean Standard Bible and New International Version are ambiguous. They have used wording that refers to the literal practice of casting lots. But the clause “throw in your lot with us” is generally used figuratively in English. If you can translate this clause ambiguously in your language, you may do so. Otherwise, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This invitation better fits the following context in which the father urges his son not to go along with the gang.

1:14b

let us all share one purse: This line ends the quotation of what the “sinners” might say to this young man. The word purse probably represents the money and other possessions that the gang stole from their victims. They promised the young man that he would get an equal share of the wealth:

we’ll all share what we steal (Good News Translation)
-or-
We’ll split the loot equally. (God’s Word)

General Comment on 1:14a–b

The first line of this verse functions as an implied “if” clause. The last line expresses the result of the first line. For example:

If you join our gang, you’ll get your share. (Contemporary English Version)

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