« | Proverbs 11 | » |
1 The Lord hates a false weight, but a true weight is His joy.
2 When pride comes, then comes shame, but wisdom is with those who have no pride.
3 The honor of good people will lead them, but those who hurt others will be destroyed by their own false ways.
4 Riches are of no use in the day of God's anger, but being right with God saves from death.
5 Those right with God, who are without blame, make a straight way for themselves, but the sinful will fall by their own wrong-doing.
6 Being right with God will save the honest man, but those who hurt others will be trapped by their wrong desires.
7 When a sinful man dies, his hope dies with him, and all his power comes to nothing.
8 The one who is right with God is kept from trouble, but the sinful get into trouble instead.
9 The sinful man destroys his neighbor with his mouth, but those who are fair will be saved through knowing God.
10 The city is glad when everything goes well with those who are right with God, and there are shouts of joy when the sinful are destroyed.
11 A city is honored by the good things that come to the faithful, but it is torn down by the mouth of the sinful.
12 He who hates his neighbor does not think well, but a man of understanding keeps quiet.
13 He who is always telling stories makes secrets known, but he who can be trusted keeps a thing hidden.
14 A nation falls where there is no wise leading, but it is safe where there are many wise men who know what to do.
15 He who puts himself as trust for what a stranger owes to another will suffer for it, but he who hates to be trusted for what another owes is safe.
16 A kind woman gets honor, and bad men get riches.
17 The man who shows loving-kindness does himself good, but the man without pity hurts himself.
18 The sinful man earns false pay, but he who does what is right and good gets a reward that is sure.
19 He who will not be moved from being right with God will live, but he who goes for what is bad will bring about his own death.
20 The Lord hates those who are sinful in heart, but those who walk without blame are His joy.
21 Know for sure that the sinful man will not go without being punished, but the children of those who are right with God will be saved.
22 A beautiful woman who does not think well is like a gold ring in the nose of a pig.
23 The desire of those who are right with God is only good, but the hope of the sinful is anger.
24 There is one who is free in giving, and yet he grows richer. And there is one who keeps what he should give, but he ends up needing more.
25 The man who gives much will have much, and he who helps others will be helped himself.
26 The people curse him who keeps grain for himself, but good comes to him who sells it.
27 He who looks for good finds favor, but he who looks for wrong-doing will have bad come to him.
28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, but those who are right with God will grow like a green leaf.
29 He who troubles his own house will be given the wind, and the foolish will serve those with a wise heart.
30 The fruit of those who are right with God is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
31 If those who are right with God will be rewarded on earth, how much more the sinful and the wrong-doer!
The New Life Version (NLV)
The New Life Version (NLV) is a unique English translation of the Bible designed to be exceptionally easy to read and understand. First published in 1969, the NLV was created by Gleason Ledyard, a missionary and linguist, to make the Scriptures accessible to people who have limited English proficiency or are new to the language. Ledyard’s aim was to provide a Bible that even those with minimal education could read and comprehend, thus opening the door for a wider audience to engage with the biblical texts.
A defining characteristic of the New Life Version is its use of a limited vocabulary of about 850 basic English words, along with some necessary theological terms. This restricted vocabulary ensures that the language remains simple and straightforward, making the text accessible to young readers, new Christians, and those for whom English is a second language. The translators also avoided idiomatic expressions and complex sentence structures, further enhancing clarity and understanding. This makes the NLV a particularly valuable resource for educational and missionary work.
The NLV also emphasizes faithfulness to the original texts, despite its simplified language. The translation aims to maintain the integrity and message of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts. By carefully choosing words that accurately convey the meaning of the original texts while ensuring simplicity, the NLV provides a balance between accessibility and fidelity. Additionally, the NLV includes explanatory footnotes and cross-references that help readers understand the context and deeper meanings of the passages, making it a useful tool for both personal study and group teaching.
However, the New Life Version is not without its critics. Some scholars and traditionalists argue that the limited vocabulary and simplified language can lead to a loss of nuance and depth found in the original texts. They suggest that the NLV’s focus on simplicity may sometimes oversimplify complex theological concepts. Despite these criticisms, the New Life Version remains a valuable translation for its intended audience, offering a clear and approachable rendition of the Bible that helps a wide range of readers engage with the Scriptures and grow in their faith.