Had Enough? A Proverbs Makeover For Gen Ex & Why Women

By Frank Prewitt

The Book of Proverbs is one of the rare bodies of spiritual literature universally accepted as practical and beneficial advice about life. But between the original language, multiple translations, poetic style, gender bias, prophetic word puzzles* and repetition much is lost on some readers, especially contemporary women (except, of course, Proverbs 31, every woman's personal guiltometre).

This paraphrase was written for my youngest daughter, Kelly Jo, before she left home for college. I wanted the Proverbs to speak to her where she lives - you know, Facebook, Starbucks, looking for Mr. Right in all the wrong places. So where the context of Proverbs is gender neutral, yet expressed to men, I redirect the message to women with contemporary application of original intent in conversational language.

While researching and writing I became increasingly conscious of the power of subliminal exclusion. With each new chapter I was amazed how much the women in my life enjoyed these inclusive new installments on an old book of wisdom. I know, only a man would be amazed. But my wife gently reminded me that women were created in God's image, not mans, so I shouldn't be quite so surprised.

The interpretations of language and intent were drawn from the most reliable current translations of the Bible and scholarly commentary. Contemporary application, phraseology and analogy are my own, in faith of God's guiding inspiration.

For Kelly I stuffed blank, loose-leaf pages between chapters so she could cut, paste and journal her journey to wisdom. This stuff is so important I wanted to do more, but her mom nixed my offer to spring for body tattoos of the more salient provisions (how like a mother).

At any rate, I hope this fresh look at old truth leads Kelly and you into the awesome and radical life God planned for each of us before we were formed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Frank Prewitt
• Release date: Jan 24, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301245352

Frank Prewitt

Frank Prewitt Managing partner/owner V Rae Art 2005 to present Pre 2005: Government Affairs Consultant •Advised and represented private health and human service agencies pursuing partnering and outsource opportunity with Alaska state and local government and/or public policy, regulatory and statutory change within Executive and Legislative branches of State government. Commissioner / Deputy Commissioner •Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer serving Alaska's integrated system of prisons, jails, probation and parole services. Responsible for executive management of 1,400 employees and $160 million annual operating budget. Attorney at Law •Assistant Attorney General: emphasis on constitutional claims against government officials (Sec 1983), draft regulations, advice to agencies Education / Credentials •J.D. Seattle University School of Law •M.S. University of Oregon Interdisciplinary Studies / Social Work •B.S. Corban University, Oregon Sociology •Merchant Mariner 100 Ton Master Near Coastal License (2010)

Book preview

HAD ENOUGH?

proverbs makeover for generations ex and why women

Frank Prewitt

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 by Frank Prewitt

Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but she did it backwards and in high heels.

Faith Whittlesey

"…in his own image…male and female he created them."

God

Foreword

The Book of Proverbs is one of the rare bodies of spiritual literature universally accepted as practical and beneficial advice about life. But between the original language, translations, poetry, gender bias and prophetic word puzzles, much is lost on some readers, especially contemporary women (except, of course, Proverbs 31, every woman's personal guiltometre).

This paraphrase was written for my youngest daughter, Kelly Jo, before she left home for college. I wanted the Proverbs to speak to her where she lives - you know, Facebook, texting, Starbucks, looking for Mr. Right in all the wrong places. So where the context of Proverbs is gender neutral, yet expressed to men, I redirect the message to women with contemporary application of original intent in conversational language.

While researching and writing I became increasingly conscious of the power of subliminal exclusion. With each new chapter I was amazed how much the women in my life enjoyed these inclusive new installments on an old book of wisdom. I know, only a man would be amazed. But my wife gently reminded me that women were created in God's image, not mans, so I shouldn't be quite so surprised.

The interpretations of language and intent were drawn from the most reliable current translations of the Bible and scholarly commentary. Contemporary application, phraseology and analogy are my own, in faith of God's guiding inspiration.

For Kelly, I stuffed blank pages between chapters so she could cut, paste and journal her journey to wisdom. This stuff is so important I wanted to do more, but her mom nixed my offer to spring for body tattoos of the more salient provisions (how like a mother).

At any rate, I hope this fresh look at old truth leads Kelly and you into the awesome and radical life God planned for each of us before we were formed.

Frank Prewitt

* NOTE: The Book of Proverbs is full of prophetic reference to the person, work and status of the Messiah. As a Christian, I believe Jesus was and is the Messiah. For example, in Proverbs 1:20 - 33 Christian commentaries identify Jesus as the Wisdom who warns and passes sentence on people who reject his message. Where biblical scholars have interpreted word, wisdom, lord, master etc. as reference to the Messiah, I frequently (but not exclusively) use Jesus' name in the text to clearly identify the speaker or subject.

The Proverbs

Chapter One

Preface

1-7 With all the makeover advice on the market today you simply can't beat The Book of Proverbs. Proverbs is straight talk about a woman's body, spirit, career and relationships; no cheap cover-ups, no temporary tucks or lifts, just the unblemished truth about good and bad choices. It's not just for women, of course. The tips in this manual will improve mileage and performance for people of any sex, race, or age. But there is a catch: to get the full benefit from this program the first step is to accept and respect that there really is a God who invented and oversees life.

Now some people get stuck on the idea of God. That’s okay with God, he just wants you to be bold enough to wrestle with the notion that he may actually exist and desire a close relationship with you. The choice to believe, of course, belongs to you, not God. So you could say God is pro-choice and progressive, notwithstanding his pro-life reputation. But no matter where you are on the belief scale, Proverbs offers every woman a treasure chest of useful, life changing advice - unless, of course, you're a fool. But if you were a fool you probably wouldn't be reading Proverbs, would you? So here's your Fathers' best advice:

The Program

8-9 It's in your best interest to give thoughtful consideration to your parents' opinion. They've seen and experienced much more than you know, and it wasn't all good. So unless you want history to repeat itself, listen and learn. It'll save you a lot of grief and buy you a good reputation.

10-19