« | Proverbs 19 | » |
1 It's better to be poor and live right than to be a stupid liar.
2 Willingness and stupidity don't go well together. If you are too eager, you will miss the road.
3 We are ruined by our own stupidity, though we blame the LORD.
4 The rich have many friends; the poor have none.
5 Dishonest witnesses and liars won't escape punishment.
6 Everyone tries to be friends of those who can help them.
7 If you are poor, your own relatives reject you, and your friends are worse. When you really need them, they are not there.
8 Do yourself a favor by having good sense-- you will be glad you did.
9 Dishonest witnesses and liars will be destroyed.
10 It isn't right for a fool to live in luxury or for a slave to rule in place of a king.
11 It's wise to be patient and show what you are like by forgiving others.
12 An angry king roars like a lion, but when a king is pleased, it's like dew on the crops.
13 A foolish son brings disgrace to his father. A nagging wife goes on and on like the drip, drip, drip of the rain.
14 You may inherit all you own from your parents, but a sensible wife is a gift from the LORD.
15 If you are lazy and sleep your time away, you will starve.
16 Obey the Lord's teachings and you will live-- disobey and you will die.
17 Caring for the poor is lending to the LORD, and you will be well repaid.
18 Correct your children before it's too late; if you don't punish them, you are destroying them.
19 People with bad tempers are always in trouble, and they need help over and over again.
20 Pay attention to advice and accept correction, so you can live sensibly.
21 We may make a lot of plans, but the LORD will do what he has decided.
22 What matters most is loyalty. It's better to be poor than to be a liar.
23 Showing respect to the LORD brings true life-- if you do it, you can relax without fear of danger.
24 Some people are too lazy to lift a hand to feed themselves.
25 Stupid fools learn good sense by seeing others punished; a sensible person learns by being corrected.
26 Children who bring disgrace rob their father and chase their mother away.
27 If you stop learning, you will forget what you already know.
28 A lying witness makes fun of the court system, and criminals think crime is really delicious.
29 Every stupid fool is just waiting to be punished.
The Contemporary English Version (CEV)
The Contemporary English Version (CEV) is a modern Bible translation that aims to make the scriptures accessible and understandable to a broad audience, including children and those with limited English proficiency. Published by the American Bible Society in 1995, the CEV emphasizes clarity, readability, and ease of comprehension. Unlike more literal translations, the CEV uses a thought-for-thought translation philosophy, which focuses on conveying the original meaning of the text in a way that is clear and straightforward for contemporary readers.
One of the key features of the CEV is its use of everyday language and simple sentence structures. The translators avoided theological jargon and archaic terms, instead opting for language that is commonly used in daily conversation. This makes the CEV particularly well-suited for public reading, educational settings, and outreach programs where the audience might not be familiar with traditional biblical language. The translation strives to communicate the essence of the biblical message without the barriers that complex language can sometimes create.
The CEV also pays special attention to cultural sensitivity and inclusivity. The translators sought to avoid expressions and idioms that might be misunderstood or offensive in different cultural contexts. Additionally, the CEV includes gender-neutral language where appropriate, aiming to make the text more inclusive while still remaining faithful to the original manuscripts. This approach helps ensure that Bible teachings are accessible to a diverse global audience, promoting understanding and acceptance across different cultures and communities.
Despite its strengths, the CEV has faced some criticism from those who prefer more literal translations. Critics argue that the CEV emphasises on simplicity and readability which can sometimes result in a loss of nuance and depth found in the original languages. Some theologians and scholars believe that the thought-for-thought approach may oversimplify complex theological concepts. Nevertheless, the Contemporary English Version remains a valuable resource for many readers, offering a clear and approachable rendition of the Bible that is particularly effective for those new to the scriptures or those seeking a more accessible way to engage with the biblical text.