« | Proverbs 13 | » |
1 A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
2 From the fruit of his mouth a good man eats good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.
3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
4 The soul of the sluggard craves, and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
5 A righteous man hates falsehood, but a wicked man acts shamefully and disgracefully.
6 Righteousness guards him whose way is upright, but sin overthrows the wicked.
7 One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
8 The ransom of a man's life is his wealth, but a poor man has no means of redemption.
9 The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
10 By insolence the heedless make strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.
11 Wealth hastily gotten will dwindle, but he who gathers little by little will increase it.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 He who despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who respects the commandment will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death.
15 Good sense wins favor, but the way of the faithless is their ruin.
16 In everything a prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.
17 A bad messenger plunges men into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.
18 Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but he who heeds reproof is honored.
19 A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul; but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
20 He who walks with wise men becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
21 Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
23 The fallow ground of the poor yields much food, but it is swept away through injustice.
24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
25 The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want.
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).