« | Proverbs 12 | » |
1 Whoever loves strong teaching loves much learning, but he who hates strong words is foolish.
2 A good man will get favor from the Lord, but He will punish a man who makes sinful plans.
3 A man will not stand by doing what is wrong, but the root of those who are right with God will not be moved.
4 A good wife is the pride and joy of her husband, but she who brings shame is like cancer to his bones.
5 The thoughts of those who are right with God can be trusted, but the words of the sinful are false.
6 The words of the sinful lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the faithful will take them away from trouble.
7 The sinful are destroyed and are no more, but the house of those who are right with God will stand.
8 A man will be praised for his wisdom, but a man with a sinful mind will be hated.
9 A man who has only a little honor and has a servant is better than one who honors himself and does not have bread.
10 A man who is right with God cares for his animal, but the sinful man is hard and has no pity.
11 He who works his land will have all the bread he needs, but he who follows what is of no worth has no wisdom.
12 The sinful man wants what sinful men have, but the root of those who are right with God gives fruit.
13 A sinful man is trapped by the sin of his lips, but those who are right with God will get away from trouble.
14 A man will be filled with good from the fruit of his words, and the work of a man's hands will return to him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to good teaching.
16 The anger of a fool is known at once, but a wise man does not speak when he is spoken against.
17 He who speaks the truth tells what is right, but a liar tells lies.
18 There is one whose foolish words cut like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Lips that tell the truth will last forever, but a lying tongue lasts only for a little while.
20 Lying is in the heart of those who plan what is bad, but those who plan peace have joy.
21 No trouble comes upon those who are right with God, but the sinful are filled with trouble.
22 The Lord hates lying lips, but those who speak the truth are His joy.
23 A wise man hides how much learning he has, but the heart of fools makes known their foolish way.
24 The hand of those who do their best will rule, but the lazy hand will be made to work.
25 Worry in the heart of a man weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad.
26 The man who is right with God is a teacher to his neighbor, but the way of the sinful leads them the wrong way.
27 The lazy man will not cook the food he has caught, but the man who does his best has what is of great worth.
28 Life is in the way of those who are right with God, and in its path there is no death.
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.