« | Proverbs 11 | » |
1 A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight.
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but with the humble is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.
7 When the wicked dies, his hope perishes, and the expectation of the godless comes to nought.
8 The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked gets into it instead.
9 With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 He who belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
13 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing hidden.
14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls; but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
15 He who gives surety for a stranger will smart for it, but he who hates suretyship is secure.
16 A gracious woman gets honor, and violent men get riches.
17 A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.
18 A wicked man earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.
19 He who is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die.
20 Men of perverse mind are an abomination to the LORD, but those of blameless ways are his delight.
21 Be assured, an evil man will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will be delivered.
22 Like a gold ring in a swine's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good; the expectation of the wicked in wrath.
24 One man gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
25 A liberal man will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
26 The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.
27 He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it.
28 He who trusts in his riches will wither, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
29 He who troubles his household will inherit wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, but lawlessness takes away lives.
31 If the righteous is requited on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!
The Revised Standard Version (RSV)
The Revised Standard Version (RSV) is a widely respected English translation of the Bible that was first published in 1952 by the National Council of Churches. It was developed as a revision of the American Standard Version (ASV) of 1901, with the primary aim of providing a more accurate and readable text while retaining the literary qualities of its predecessor. The RSV sought to modernize the language of the ASV without sacrificing its faithfulness to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts, making it a significant milestone in the history of English Bible translations.
One of the key features of the RSV is its commitment to formal equivalence, or a word-for-word translation approach. This method ensures that the translation closely mirrors the structure and wording of the original texts, allowing readers to engage more directly with the biblical languages. The translators of the RSV were guided by the latest biblical scholarship of their time, and they endeavored to produce a text that was both accurate and elegant. This combination of precision and literary quality has made the RSV a popular choice for both academic study and liturgical use.
The RSV also stands out for its ecumenical appeal. It was one of the first translations to be accepted across a wide range of Christian denominations, including Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions. This broad acceptance was partly due to the inclusive approach of the translation committee, which included scholars from various religious backgrounds. The RSV’s ecumenical nature helped it gain widespread usage in churches, seminaries, and universities, fostering a greater sense of unity among different Christian communities.
Despite its many strengths, the RSV has faced some criticism over the years. Some conservative scholars and readers have expressed concerns about certain translation choices, arguing that they reflect modernist theological perspectives. Additionally, the RSV’s use of archaic language in certain passages has been a point of contention for those seeking a more contemporary rendering of the Bible. Nonetheless, the Revised Standard Version remains a highly respected and influential translation, valued for its accuracy, literary excellence, and broad ecumenical acceptance. It continues to serve as a foundation for later revisions and translations, such as the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) and the English Standard Version (ESV).