« | Proverbs 13 | » |
1 A wise child loves discipline, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
2 From the fruit of their words good persons eat good things, but the desire of the treacherous is for wrongdoing.
3 Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives; those who open wide their lips come to ruin.
4 The appetite of the lazy craves, and gets nothing, while the appetite of the diligent is richly supplied.
5 The righteous hate falsehood, but the wicked act shamefully and disgracefully.
6 Righteousness guards one whose way is upright, but sin overthrows the wicked.
7 Some pretend to be rich, yet have nothing; others pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth.
8 Wealth is a ransom for a person's life, but the poor get no threats.
9 The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked goes out.
10 By insolence the heedless make strife, but wisdom is with those who take advice.
11 Wealth hastily gotten will dwindle, but those who gather little by little will increase it.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 Those who despise the word bring destruction on themselves, but those who respect the commandment will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, so that one may avoid the snares of death.
15 Good sense wins favor, but the way of the faithless is their ruin.
16 The clever do all things intelligently, but the fool displays folly.
17 A bad messenger brings trouble, but a faithful envoy, healing.
18 Poverty and disgrace are for the one who ignores instruction, but one who heeds reproof is honored.
19 A desire realized is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm.
21 Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.
22 The good leave an inheritance to their children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
23 The field of the poor may yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice.
24 Those who spare the rod hate their children, but those who love them are diligent to discipline them.
25 The righteous have enough to satisfy their appetite, but the belly of the wicked is empty.
The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) is a highly respected English translation of the Bible that was first published in 1989 by the National Council of Churches. It was developed as an update to the Revised Standard Version (RSV) of 1952, with the goal of incorporating the latest biblical scholarship and addressing changes in the English language. The NRSV is renowned for its accuracy, literary quality, and ecumenical approach, making it a preferred choice for both academic study and liturgical use across various Christian denominations.
One of the primary features of the NRSV is its commitment to being a literal, or word-for-word, translation while also ensuring that the text is clear and comprehensible for modern readers. The translation team, which included scholars from diverse religious backgrounds, aimed to produce a text that faithfully represents the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts. This dedication to precision and clarity makes the NRSV an excellent resource for in-depth study and theological reflection, as it strives to convey the exact meaning of the original texts.
The NRSV is also notable for its inclusive language, which seeks to reflect the diversity of the contemporary Christian community. The translators took great care to avoid gender-specific language when the original texts did not explicitly require it, making the text more inclusive and accessible to all readers. This approach has been particularly appreciated in academic and liturgical settings, where sensitivity to gender and inclusivity are important considerations. The NRSV’s attention to inclusive language helps ensure that all readers can see themselves reflected in the biblical narrative.
Despite its many strengths, the NRSV has faced some criticism, particularly from those who prefer more traditional translations. Critics argue that the use of inclusive language can sometimes lead to interpretations that differ from the original intent of the texts. Additionally, some conservative scholars and readers feel that the NRSV’s ecumenical approach may result in compromises on certain theological nuances. Nonetheless, the New Revised Standard Version remains a highly valued translation, widely used in churches, seminaries, and universities for its scholarly rigor, literary excellence, and commitment to inclusivity.