« | Proverbs 15 | » |
1 Anger slays even wise men, yet a submissive answer turns away wrath; but a grievous word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise knows what is good, but the mouth of the foolish speaks evil things.
3 The eyes of the Lord behold both the evil and the good in every place.
4 The wholesome tongue is a tree of life, and he that keeps it shall be filled with understanding.
5 A fool scorns his father's instruction, but he that keeps his commandments is more prudent. In abounding righteousness is great strength, but the ungodly shall utterly perish from the earth.
6 In the houses of the righteous is much strength, but the fruits of the ungodly shall perish.
7 The lips of the wise are bound by discretion, but the hearts of the foolish are not safe.
8 The sacrifices of the ungodly are an abomination to the Lord, but the prayers of them that walk honestly are acceptable to Him.
9 The ways of an ungodly man are an abomination to the Lord, but He loves those that follow after righteousness.
10 The instruction of the simple is known by them that pass by, but they that hate reproofs die disgracefully.
11 Hell and destruction are manifest to the Lord, how shall not the hearts of men be, also?
12 An uninstructed person will not love those that reprove him, neither will he associate with the wise.
13 When the heart rejoices, the countenance is cheerful, but when it is in sorrow, the countenance is sad.
14 An upright heart seeks discretion, but the mouth of the uninstructed will experience evils.
15 The eyes of the wicked are always looking for evil things, but the good are always quiet.
16 Better is a small portion with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without the fear [of the Lord].
17 Better is an entertainment of herbs with friendliness and kindness, than a feast of calves, with enmity.
18 A passionate man stirs up strife; but [he that is] slow to anger appeases even a rising one. [ 15:18A] A man slow to anger will extinguish quarrels, but an ungodly man rather stirs [them] up.
19 The ways of sluggards are strewn with thorns, but those of the diligent are made smooth.
20 A wise son gladdens his father, but a foolish son sneers at his mother.
21 The ways of a foolish man are void of sense, but a wise man walks straight.
22 They that honor not councils put off deliberation, but counsel abides in the hearts of counselors.
23 A bad man will by no means obey counsel, neither will he say anything seasonable, or of good report.
24 The thoughts of the wise are ways of life, that he may turn aside and escape from hell.
25 The Lord pulls down the houses of scorners, but He establishes the border of the widow.
26 An unrighteous thought is an abomination to the Lord, but the sayings of the pure are held in honor.
27 A receiver of bribes destroys himself, but he that hates the receiving of bribes is safe. [ 15:27A] By alms and by faithful dealings sins are purged away, but by the fear of the Lord everyone departs from evil.
28 The hearts of the righteous meditate faithfulness, but the mouth of the ungodly answers evil things. [ 15:28A] The ways of righteous men are acceptable with the Lord, and through them even enemies become friends.
29 God is far from the ungodly, but He hears the prayers of the righteous. [ 15:29A] Better are small receipts with righteousness, than abundant fruits with unrighteousness. [ 15:29B] Let the heart of a man think justly, that his steps may be rightly ordered of God.
30 The eye that sees rightly rejoices the heart, and a good report fattens the bones.
31 [This translation omits this verse.]
32 He that rejects instruction hates himself, but he who heeds rebuke loves his soul.
33 The fear of the Lord is instruction and wisdom, and the highest honor will correspond therewith.
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.