« | Proverbs 15 | » |
1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who pursues righteousness.
10 There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more the hearts of the children of man!
12 A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.
14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.
18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.
19 The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.
20 A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.
22 Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.
23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!
24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.
25 The LORD tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow's boundaries.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but gracious words are pure.
27 Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones.
31 The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
32 Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.
33 The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
The English Standard Version (ESV)
The English Standard Version (ESV) is a prominent Bible translation that strives to balance word-for-word accuracy with readability. First published in 2001 by Crossway, the ESV was developed by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors. It aims to provide a faithful rendering of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts while maintaining the literary quality and stylistic beauty of the English language. This translation approach makes the ESV suitable for both personal study and public worship.
A key feature of the ESV is its commitment to formal equivalence, or essentially literal translation philosophy. This method prioritizes a close correspondence between the original languages and the English text, ensuring that the translation remains as true as possible to the original words and structures. The ESV translators worked meticulously to preserve the nuances and intricacies of the biblical languages, while also striving for clarity and smoothness in English. This balance makes the ESV highly regarded for its accuracy and readability.
The ESV is also known for its use in academic and scholarly settings. Its rigorous translation process and commitment to textual fidelity make it a reliable resource for in-depth Bible study and theological research. The translation includes extensive footnotes and cross-references that provide additional context and insights, helping readers to understand the historical, cultural, and linguistic background of the scriptures. The ESV’s clear and precise language has made it a preferred choice for pastors, scholars, and serious students of the Bible.
Despite its many strengths, the ESV has faced some criticism. Some readers and scholars argue that the translation’s formal equivalence approach can sometimes result in a text that is overly rigid and less fluid than more dynamic translations. Others have raised concerns about gender-specific language in the ESV, suggesting that it may not be as inclusive as some other modern translations. Nonetheless, the English Standard Version remains a highly respected and widely used translation, valued for its accuracy, readability, and commitment to preserving the original meaning of the biblical texts.