« | Proverbs 14 | » |
1 Wise women build houses, but a foolish one digs [hers] down with her hands.
2 He that walks uprightly fears the Lord, but he that is perverse in his ways shall be dishonored.
3 Out of the mouth of fools comes a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise preserve them.
4 Where no oxen are, the cribs are clean, but where there is abundant produce, the strength of the ox is apparent.
5 A faithful witness does not lie, but an unjust witness kindles falsehoods.
6 You shall seek wisdom with bad men, and shall not find it, but discretion is easily available with the prudent.
7 All things are adverse to a foolish man, but wise lips are the weapons of discretion.
8 The wisdom of the prudent will understand their ways, but the folly of fools leads astray.
9 The houses of transgressors will need purification, but the houses of the just are acceptable.
10 If a man's mind is intelligent, his soul is sorrowful; and when he rejoices, he has no fellowship with pride.
11 The houses of ungodly men shall be utterly destroyed, but the tabernacles of them that walk uprightly shall stand.
12 There is a way which seems to be right with men, but the ends of it reach to the depths of hell.
13 Grief mingles not with mirth, and joy in the end comes to grief.
14 A stout-hearted [man] shall be filled with his own ways, and a good man with his own thoughts.
15 The simple believes every word, but the sensible man considers his steps.
16 A wise man fears, and departs from evil, but the fool trusts in himself, and joins himself with the transgressor.
17 A passionate man acts inconsiderately, but a sensible man bears up under many things.
18 Fools shall have mischief for their portion, but the prudent shall quickly take hold of understanding.
19 Evil men shall fall before the good, and the ungodly shall attend at the gates of the righteous.
20 Friends will hate poor friends, but the friends of the rich are many.
21 He that dishonors the needy, sins, but he that has pity on the poor is most blessed.
22 They that go astray devise evils, but the good devise mercy and truth. The framers of evil do not understand mercy and truth, but compassion and faithfulness are with the framers of good.
23 With everyone who is careful there is abundance, but the pleasure-taking and indolent shall be in want.
24 A prudent man is the crown of the wise, but the occupation of fools is evil.
25 A faithful witness shall deliver a soul from evil, but a deceitful [man] kindles falsehoods.
26 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence, and he leaves his children a support.
27 The commandment of the Lord is a fountain of life, and it causes men to turn aside from the snare of death.
28 In a populous nation is the glory of a king, but in the failure of people is the ruin of a prince.
29 A man slow to wrath abounds in wisdom, but a man of impatient spirit is very foolish.
30 A meek-spirited man is a healer of the heart, but passion is a corruption to the bones.
31 He that oppresses the needy provokes his Maker, but he that honors Him has pity upon the poor.
32 The ungodly shall be driven away in his wickedness, but he who is secure in his own holiness is just.
33 There is wisdom in the good heart of a man, but in the heart of fools it is not discerned.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sins, [however,] diminish [them].
35 An understanding servant is acceptable to a king, and by his good behavior he removes disgrace.
The Apostles’ Bible Complete (ABC)
The Apostles’ Bible Complete (ABC) is a modern translation of the Bible that strives to offer a clear and faithful rendering of the scriptures in contemporary language. This translation is designed to be accessible to a wide audience, providing an easy-to-read yet accurate version of the biblical text. The ABC translation aims to bridge the gap between the ancient languages in which the Bible was originally written and the modern vernacular, making it an ideal choice for both personal study and public reading.
One of the notable features of the Apostles’ Bible Complete is its dedication to maintaining the integrity of the original manuscripts. The translators of the ABC worked meticulously with the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts to ensure that their translation accurately reflects the original meaning and intent of the scriptures. By employing a balance of formal equivalence (word-for-word) and dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought) translation techniques, the ABC aims to preserve the nuances and richness of the original languages while ensuring readability and clarity for modern readers.
The ABC also incorporates extensive cross-references and study aids to enhance the reader’s understanding of the biblical text. These tools include footnotes that provide historical and cultural context, as well as explanations of difficult or ambiguous passages. This approach helps readers to grasp the deeper meanings of the scriptures and to see how different parts of the Bible interconnect. The inclusion of these study aids makes the ABC particularly useful for those who are new to the Bible, as well as for more experienced readers who are looking to deepen their understanding of the text.
Despite its strengths, the Apostles’ Bible Complete has faced some criticisms. Some readers feel that the translation could benefit from further refinement in certain passages, as the balance between formal and dynamic equivalence can sometimes lead to inconsistencies in style and tone. Others have noted that while the study aids are helpful, they can occasionally overwhelm the main text, making it difficult to focus on the scripture itself. Nonetheless, the ABC remains a valuable and respected translation, appreciated for its commitment to accuracy, clarity, and accessibility, and for its ability to bring the ancient words of the Bible to life for contemporary readers.