« | Proverbs 14 | » |
1 The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.
2 He who walks in honor fears the Lord, but he who is sinful in his ways hates Him.
3 A foolish man's talk brings a stick to his back, but the lips of the wise will keep them safe.
4 There is no grain where there are no oxen, but much grain comes by the strength of the ox.
5 A faithful man who tells what he knows will not lie, but the man who is not faithful will lie.
6 One who laughs at the truth looks for wisdom and does not find it, but much learning is easy to him who has understanding.
7 Go away from a foolish man, for you will not find words of much learning.
8 The wisdom of the wise man is to understand what to do, but lying is the foolish way of fools.
9 Fools laugh at sin, but the favor of God is among the faithful.
10 The heart knows when it is bitter, and a stranger cannot share its joy.
11 The house of the sinful will be destroyed, but all will go well in the tent of the faithful.
12 There is a way which looks right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
13 Even while laughing the heart may be in pain, and the end of joy may be sorrow.
14 The man who has gone back into sin will get the fruit of his ways, and a good man will get the fruit of what he does.
15 The one who is easy to fool believes everything, but the wise man looks where he goes.
16 A wise man fears God and turns away from what is sinful, but a fool is full of pride and is not careful.
17 He who has a quick temper acts in a foolish way, and a man who makes sinful plans is hated.
18 Those who are easy to fool are foolish, but the wise have much learning.
19 Sinful men will bow in front of the good, and at the gates of those who are right with God.
20 The poor man is hated even by his neighbor, but the rich man has many friends.
21 He who hates his neighbor sins, but happy is he who shows lovingfavor to the poor.
22 Do not those who make sinful plans go the wrong way? Kindness and truth are for those who plan good.
23 Some good comes from all work. Nothing but talk leads only to being poor.
24 What the wise receive is their riches, but fools are known by their foolish ways.
25 A faithful man who tells what he knows saves lives, but he who tells lies hurts others.
26 There is strong trust in the fear of the Lord, and His children will have a safe place.
27 The fear of the Lord is a well of life. Its waters keep a man from death.
28 The shining-greatness of a king is in many people, but without people a prince has nothing.
29 He who is slow to get angry has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper makes his foolish way look right.
30 A heart that has peace is life to the body, but wrong desires are like the wasting away of the bones.
31 He who makes it hard for the poor brings shame to his Maker, but he who shows loving-favor to those in need honors Him.
32 The sinful is thrown down by his wrong-doing, but the man who is right with God has a safe place when he dies.
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, but what is in the heart of fools is made known.
34 Being right with God makes a nation great, but sin is a shame to any people.
35 The king's favor is toward a wise servant, but his anger is toward the one who brings shame by what he does.
The New Life Version (NLV)
The New Life Version (NLV) is a unique English translation of the Bible designed to be exceptionally easy to read and understand. First published in 1969, the NLV was created by Gleason Ledyard, a missionary and linguist, to make the Scriptures accessible to people who have limited English proficiency or are new to the language. Ledyard’s aim was to provide a Bible that even those with minimal education could read and comprehend, thus opening the door for a wider audience to engage with the biblical texts.
A defining characteristic of the New Life Version is its use of a limited vocabulary of about 850 basic English words, along with some necessary theological terms. This restricted vocabulary ensures that the language remains simple and straightforward, making the text accessible to young readers, new Christians, and those for whom English is a second language. The translators also avoided idiomatic expressions and complex sentence structures, further enhancing clarity and understanding. This makes the NLV a particularly valuable resource for educational and missionary work.
The NLV also emphasizes faithfulness to the original texts, despite its simplified language. The translation aims to maintain the integrity and message of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts. By carefully choosing words that accurately convey the meaning of the original texts while ensuring simplicity, the NLV provides a balance between accessibility and fidelity. Additionally, the NLV includes explanatory footnotes and cross-references that help readers understand the context and deeper meanings of the passages, making it a useful tool for both personal study and group teaching.
However, the New Life Version is not without its critics. Some scholars and traditionalists argue that the limited vocabulary and simplified language can lead to a loss of nuance and depth found in the original texts. They suggest that the NLV’s focus on simplicity may sometimes oversimplify complex theological concepts. Despite these criticisms, the New Life Version remains a valuable translation for its intended audience, offering a clear and approachable rendition of the Bible that helps a wide range of readers engage with the Scriptures and grow in their faith.