« | Proverbs 13 | » |
1 A wise son [heeds] his father's instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
2 A man shall eat well by the fruit of [his] mouth, But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.
3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life, [But] he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
4 The soul of a lazy [man] desires, and [has] nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
5 A righteous [man] hates lying, But a wicked [man] is loathsome and comes to shame.
6 Righteousness guards [him whose] way is blameless, But wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 There is one who makes himself rich, yet [has] nothing; [And] one who makes himself poor, yet [has] great riches.
8 The ransom of a man's life [is] his riches, But the poor does not hear rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous rejoices, But the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
10 By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised [is] wisdom.
11 Wealth [gained by] dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But [when] the desire comes, [it is] a tree of life.
13 He who despises the word will be destroyed, But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
14 The law of the wise [is] a fountain of life, To turn [one] away from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding gains favor, But the way of the unfaithful [is] hard.
16 Every prudent [man] acts with knowledge, But a fool lays open [his] folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, But a faithful ambassador [brings] health.
18 Poverty and shame [will come] to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.
19 A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, But [it is] an abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 He who walks with wise [men] will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.
21 Evil pursues sinners, But to the righteous, good shall be repaid.
22 A good [man] leaves an inheritance to his children's children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.
23 Much food [is in] the fallow [ground] of the poor, And for lack of justice there is waste.
24 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
25 The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul, But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.
The New King James Version (NKJV)
The New King James Version (NKJV) is a modern translation of the Bible that seeks to preserve the stylistic and literary beauty of the original King James Version (KJV) while making it more accessible to contemporary readers. The project to create the NKJV began in 1975, spearheaded by Arthur Farstad and a team of over 130 scholars, theologians, and pastors. They aimed to maintain the traditional language and rhythm of the KJV while updating archaic terms and expressions to be more understandable for modern audiences. The translation was completed and published in 1982, offering a blend of reverence for the past and clarity for the present.
One of the defining features of the NKJV is its commitment to the Textus Receptus, the same Greek text underlying the New Testament of the KJV. This ensures a high degree of continuity between the two versions, making the NKJV familiar to those who have long cherished the KJV. However, the NKJV also considers findings from more recent scholarship and textual criticism, incorporating insights from the latest manuscripts and research. This approach helps to balance respect for the historical text with a recognition of the advancements in biblical studies.
The NKJV has been praised for its readability and poetic qualities, which make it suitable for both private study and public worship. Its translators worked diligently to preserve the lyrical and memorable phrasing of the KJV, which has deeply influenced English literature and religious practice. By modernizing the language without compromising the text’s inherent dignity and solemnity, the NKJV has become a popular choice among those who value both accuracy and elegance in their Bible reading.
Despite its strengths, the NKJV has faced criticism from some quarters. Critics argue that by adhering too closely to the Textus Receptus, it may not fully reflect the breadth of available manuscript evidence. Others feel that it may still be too archaic for some readers, especially those who are new to the Bible or who come from different linguistic backgrounds. Nonetheless, the NKJV remains a significant and respected translation, offering a bridge between the venerable tradition of the KJV and the needs of modern readers.