« | Proverbs 20 | » |
1 Wine [is] a mocker, Strong drink [is] a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
2 The wrath of a king [is] like the roaring of a lion; [Whoever] provokes him to anger sins [against] his own life.
3 [It is] honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel.
4 The lazy [man] will not plow because of winter; He will beg during harvest and [have] nothing.
5 Counsel in the heart of man [is like] deep water, But a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man?
7 The righteous [man] walks in his integrity; His children [are] blessed after him.
8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment Scatters all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, "I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin"?
10 Diverse weights [and] diverse measures, They [are] both alike, an abomination to the LORD.
11 Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether what he does [is] pure and right.
12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The LORD has made them both.
13 Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; Open your eyes, [and] you will be satisfied with bread.
14 "[It is] good for nothing," cries the buyer; But when he has gone his way, then he boasts.
15 There is gold and a multitude of rubies, But the lips of knowledge [are] a precious jewel.
16 Take the garment of one who is surety [for] a stranger, And hold it as a pledge [when it] is for a seductress.
17 Bread gained by deceit [is] sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
18 Plans are established by counsel; By wise counsel wage war.
19 He who goes about [as] a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.
20 Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp will be put out in deep darkness.
21 An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning Will not be blessed at the end.
22 Do not say, "I will recompense evil"; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.
23 Diverse weights [are] an abomination to the LORD, And dishonest scales [are] not good.
24 A man's steps [are] of the LORD; How then can a man understand his own way?
25 [It is] a snare for a man to devote rashly [something as] holy, And afterward to reconsider [his] vows.
26 A wise king sifts out the wicked, And brings the threshing wheel over them.
27 The spirit of a man [is] the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the inner depths of his heart.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king, And by lovingkindness he upholds his throne.
29 The glory of young men [is] their strength, And the splendor of old men [is] their gray head.
30 Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, As [do] stripes the inner depths of the heart.
The New King James Version (NKJV)
The New King James Version (NKJV) is a modern translation of the Bible that seeks to preserve the stylistic and literary beauty of the original King James Version (KJV) while making it more accessible to contemporary readers. The project to create the NKJV began in 1975, spearheaded by Arthur Farstad and a team of over 130 scholars, theologians, and pastors. They aimed to maintain the traditional language and rhythm of the KJV while updating archaic terms and expressions to be more understandable for modern audiences. The translation was completed and published in 1982, offering a blend of reverence for the past and clarity for the present.
One of the defining features of the NKJV is its commitment to the Textus Receptus, the same Greek text underlying the New Testament of the KJV. This ensures a high degree of continuity between the two versions, making the NKJV familiar to those who have long cherished the KJV. However, the NKJV also considers findings from more recent scholarship and textual criticism, incorporating insights from the latest manuscripts and research. This approach helps to balance respect for the historical text with a recognition of the advancements in biblical studies.
The NKJV has been praised for its readability and poetic qualities, which make it suitable for both private study and public worship. Its translators worked diligently to preserve the lyrical and memorable phrasing of the KJV, which has deeply influenced English literature and religious practice. By modernizing the language without compromising the text’s inherent dignity and solemnity, the NKJV has become a popular choice among those who value both accuracy and elegance in their Bible reading.
Despite its strengths, the NKJV has faced criticism from some quarters. Critics argue that by adhering too closely to the Textus Receptus, it may not fully reflect the breadth of available manuscript evidence. Others feel that it may still be too archaic for some readers, especially those who are new to the Bible or who come from different linguistic backgrounds. Nonetheless, the NKJV remains a significant and respected translation, offering a bridge between the venerable tradition of the KJV and the needs of modern readers.