« | Proverbs 14 | » |
1 The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.
2 He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, But [he who is] perverse in his ways despises Him.
3 In the mouth of a fool [is] a rod of pride, But the lips of the wise will preserve them.
4 Where no oxen [are,] the trough [is] clean; But much increase [comes] by the strength of an ox.
5 A faithful witness does not lie, But a false witness will utter lies.
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not [find it,] But knowledge [is] easy to him who understands.
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, When you do not perceive [in him] the lips of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent [is] to understand his way, But the folly of fools [is] deceit.
9 Fools mock at sin, But among the upright [there is] favor.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be overthrown, But the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There is a way [that seems] right to a man, But its end [is] the way of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, And the end of mirth [may be] grief.
14 The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man [will be satisfied] from above.
15 The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps.
16 A wise [man] fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident.
17 A quick-tempered [man] acts foolishly, And a man of wicked intentions is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly, But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil will bow before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor [man] is hated even by his own neighbor, But the rich [has] many friends.
21 He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy [is] he.
22 Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth [belong] to those who devise good.
23 In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter [leads] only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches, [But] the foolishness of fools [is] folly.
25 A true witness delivers souls, But a deceitful [witness] speaks lies.
26 In the fear of the LORD [there is] strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of the LORD [is] a fountain of life, To turn [one] away from the snares of death.
28 In a multitude of people [is] a king's honor, But in the lack of people [is] the downfall of a prince.
29 [He who is] slow to wrath has great understanding, But [he who is] impulsive exalts folly.
30 A sound heart [is] life to the body, But envy [is] rottenness to the bones.
31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.
32 The wicked is banished in his wickedness, But the righteous has a refuge in his death.
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, But [what is] in the heart of fools is made known.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin [is] a reproach to [any] people.
35 The king's favor [is] toward a wise servant, But his wrath [is against] him who causes shame.
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.