“For they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.”

There are times when the English word or words used to translate the original Hebrew or Greek don’t fully capture the depth of the writer’s intent. This verse is a great example. The word translated as peace and prosperity is the Hebrew word shalom. The NIV improves on the King James and other translations that simply use peace, but even peace and prosperity doesn’t fully convey the richness of shalom. In reality, this single word expresses far more than the absence of conflict and the presence of prosperity. Its meaning includes completeness and soundness, as well as welfare, health, and security—a general sense of well-being and abundance. That’s a lot to pack into just a word or two. This is the full truth of what God offers us as we hold firmly to His teaching and commands. What an amazing gift. The life condition God promises in this simple word—shalom—is something desperately needed by many in the world today. And God freely offers it. Today, hold firmly to His truth and find shalom. #BeTheEdge

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.” —Jesus