« | Proverbs 19 | » |
1 A poor man who walks with honor is better than a fool who is sinful in his speaking.
2 It is not good for a person to be without much learning, and he who hurries with his feet rushes into sin.
3 The foolish acts of man make his way bad, and his heart is angry toward the Lord.
4 Riches add many friends, but a poor man is separated from his friend.
5 A man who tells lies about someone will be punished. He who tells lies will not get away.
6 Many will ask for the favor of a man who gives much, and every man is a friend to him who gives gifts.
7 All the brothers of a poor man hate him. How much more do his friends go far from him! He runs to them with words, but they are gone.
8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding will find good.
9 A man who tells lies about someone will be punished. He who tells lies will be lost.
10 It is not right for a fool to live in great comfort, and for sure, for a servant to rule over rulers.
11 A man's understanding makes him slow to anger. It is to his honor to forgive and forget a wrong done to him.
12 The king's anger is like the noise of a lion, but his favor is like morning water upon the grass.
13 A foolish son destroys his father. The arguing of a wife is like water falling drop by drop all the time.
14 House and riches are handed down from fathers, but an understanding wife is from the Lord.
15 Being lazy makes one go into a deep sleep, and a lazy man will suffer from being hungry.
16 He who keeps God's Word keeps his soul, but he who is not careful of his ways will die.
17 He who shows kindness to a poor man gives to the Lord and He will pay him in return for his good act.
18 Punish your son if he needs it while there is hope, and do not worry about his crying.
19 An angry man will suffer punishment. For if you save him from his trouble, you will only have to do it again.
20 Listen to words about what you should do, and take your punishment if you need it, so that you may be wise the rest of your days.
21 There are many plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's plan that will stand.
22 What is desired in a man is his kindness, and it is better to be a poor man than a liar.
23 The fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it will sleep well, and will not be touched by sin.
24 The lazy man buries his hand in the dish, and will not even bring it to his mouth again.
25 Hit a man who laughs at the truth, and the foolish may become wise. But speak strong words to one who has understanding, and he will get more learning.
26 He who hurts his father and puts his mother out of the house is a son who causes much shame.
27 My son, stop listening to teaching that will cause you to turn away from the words of much learning.
28 A man without worth who tells all he knows laughs at what is right and fair, and the mouth of the sinful spreads wrong-doing.
29 Ways of punishing are made ready for those who laugh at the truth, and beatings are for the back of fools.
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.