1:17

This verse introduces the second reason why the young man should not follow the lifestyle of criminals. It is because criminals are foolish and do things that result in their own destruction.

In Hebrew, this verse begins with the same word that the Berean Standard Bible translated as “For” in 1:16. The Revised Standard Version and New Jerusalem Bible translate this word here with “for.” But many other versions (including the Berean Standard Bible and New International Version) omit a connecting word like “for,” because it would wrongly imply that 1:17 gives the reason why sinners are “swift to shed blood” (1:16). The right connection is with 1:15. You may be able to leave the right connection implied, as these versions have done. If the connection is not clear, you may need to make it explicit. For example:

⌊Another reason you should not associate with them is that they will destroy themselves.⌋ It is useless to set a snare…

How futile it is to spread the net where any bird can see it!: There are two main ways to interpret this verse:

(1) The verse means that if the birds are watching, it is useless to spread a net/trap for them, because the birds would avoid it. For example:

When a bird sees a trap being set, it stays away. (New Living Translation (1996))

With this interpretation, the criminals in 1:18 are contrasted with the birds. The birds avoid the traps, but the criminals get caught in their own traps. It is implied that they have even less sense than birds.

(2) The verse means that the birds are stupid. Even if they see someone spreading a net or setting a trap, they will still enter it to get the bait. For example:

They are like a bird that sees the bait but ignores the trap. (Contemporary English Version)

With this interpretation, the criminals in 1:18 are likened to the birds. Both the criminals and the birds get caught in traps. It is implied that they are just as stupid as birds.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most versions.

spread the net: Scholars have different opinions on what it means to spread the net. Some think that this phrase refers to a bird hunter spreading out a net with grain on it as bait. Others think that it refers to a hunter throwing a net over a bird’s head when it is not watching. You may follow either idea in your translation. If nets are not used in your culture for catching birds, you may use a similar item such as “snare” or “trap” (see the New Living Translation (1996) quote earlier in this note).

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