« | Proverbs 17 | » |
1 Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 A slave who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
3 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the LORD tries hearts.
4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips; and a liar gives heed to a mischievous tongue.
5 He who mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of sons is their fathers.
7 Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince.
8 A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.
9 He who forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter alienates a friend.
10 A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12 Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 If a man returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water; so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD.
16 Why should a fool have a price in his hand to buy wisdom, when he has no mind?
17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man without sense gives a pledge, and becomes surety in the presence of his neighbor.
19 He who loves transgression loves strife; he who makes his door high seeks destruction.
20 A man of crooked mind does not prosper, and one with a perverse tongue falls into calamity.
21 A stupid son is a grief to a father; and the father of a fool has no joy.
22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.
23 A wicked man accepts a bribe from the bosom to pervert the ways of justice.
24 A man of understanding sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good; to flog noble men is wrong.
27 He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
The Revised Standard Version (RSV)
The Revised Standard Version (RSV) is a widely respected English translation of the Bible that was first published in 1952 by the National Council of Churches. It was developed as a revision of the American Standard Version (ASV) of 1901, with the primary aim of providing a more accurate and readable text while retaining the literary qualities of its predecessor. The RSV sought to modernize the language of the ASV without sacrificing its faithfulness to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts, making it a significant milestone in the history of English Bible translations.
One of the key features of the RSV is its commitment to formal equivalence, or a word-for-word translation approach. This method ensures that the translation closely mirrors the structure and wording of the original texts, allowing readers to engage more directly with the biblical languages. The translators of the RSV were guided by the latest biblical scholarship of their time, and they endeavored to produce a text that was both accurate and elegant. This combination of precision and literary quality has made the RSV a popular choice for both academic study and liturgical use.
The RSV also stands out for its ecumenical appeal. It was one of the first translations to be accepted across a wide range of Christian denominations, including Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions. This broad acceptance was partly due to the inclusive approach of the translation committee, which included scholars from various religious backgrounds. The RSV’s ecumenical nature helped it gain widespread usage in churches, seminaries, and universities, fostering a greater sense of unity among different Christian communities.
Despite its many strengths, the RSV has faced some criticism over the years. Some conservative scholars and readers have expressed concerns about certain translation choices, arguing that they reflect modernist theological perspectives. Additionally, the RSV’s use of archaic language in certain passages has been a point of contention for those seeking a more contemporary rendering of the Bible. Nonetheless, the Revised Standard Version remains a highly respected and influential translation, valued for its accuracy, literary excellence, and broad ecumenical acceptance. It continues to serve as a foundation for later revisions and translations, such as the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) and the English Standard Version (ESV).