« | Proverbs 23 | » |
1 If you sit to eat at the table of a prince, consider attentively the things set before you;
2 and apply your hand, knowing that it behooves you to prepare such [meats]; but if you are very insatiable,
3 desire not his provisions; for these belong to a false life.
4 If you are poor, measure not yourself with a rich man, but refrain yourself in your wisdom.
5 If you should fix your eye upon him, he will disappear; for wings like an eagle's are prepared for him, and he returns to the house of his master.
6 Eat not with an envious man, neither desire his meats;
7 so he eats and drinks as if anyone should swallow a hair, and do not bring him in to yourself, nor eat your morsel with him;
8 for he will vomit it up, and spoil your fair words.
9 Say nothing in the ears of a fool, lest at any time he sneer at your wise words.
10 Remove not the ancient landmarks, and enter not upon the possession of the fatherless;
11 for the Lord is their redeemer; He is mighty, and will plead their cause with you.
12 Apply your heart to instruction, and prepare your ears for words of discretion.
13 Refrain not from chastening a child, for if you beat him with the rod, he shall not die.
14 For you shall beat him with the rod, and shall deliver his soul from death.
15 Son, if your heart is wise, you shall also gladden my heart;
16 and your lips shall converse with my lips, if they are right.
17 Let not your heart envy sinners, but be in the fear of the Lord all the day.
18 For if you should keep these things, you shall have posterity; and your hope shall not be removed.
19 Hear, [my] son, and be wise, and rightly direct the thoughts of your heart.
20 Be not a winebibber, neither continue long at feasts, and purchases of flesh;
21 for every drunkard and whoremonger shall be poor, and every sluggard shall clothe himself with tatters and ragged garments.
22 Listen, [my] son, to your father which begot you, and despise not [your mother] because she has grown old.
23 [This translation omits this verse.]
24 A righteous father brings up [his children] well, and his soul rejoices over a wise son.
25 Let your father and your mother rejoice over you, and let her that bore you be glad.
26 My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.
27 For a strange house is a vessel full of holes, and a strange well is narrow.
28 For such a one shall perish suddenly, and every transgressor shall be cut off.
29 Who [has] woe? Who has trouble? Who has quarrels? And who complains and disputes? Who has bruises without a cause? Whose eyes are livid?
30 [Are] not [those] of them that stay long at wine? Are not those of them that haunt [the places] where banquets are? Be not drunk with wine; but converse with just men, and converse with them openly.
31 For if you should set your eyes on bowls and cups, you shall afterwards go more naked than a pestle.
32 But at last [such a one] stretches himself out as one smitten by a serpent, and venom is diffused through him as by a horned serpent.
33 Whenever your eyes shall behold a strange woman, then your mouth shall speak perverse things.
34 And you shall lie as in the midst of the sea, and as a pilot in a great storm.
35 And you shall say, They struck me, and I was not pained; and they mocked me, and I knew it not: when will it be morning, that I may go and seek those with whom I may go in company?
The Apostles’ Bible Complete (ABC)
The Apostles’ Bible Complete (ABC) is a modern translation of the Bible that strives to offer a clear and faithful rendering of the scriptures in contemporary language. This translation is designed to be accessible to a wide audience, providing an easy-to-read yet accurate version of the biblical text. The ABC translation aims to bridge the gap between the ancient languages in which the Bible was originally written and the modern vernacular, making it an ideal choice for both personal study and public reading.
One of the notable features of the Apostles’ Bible Complete is its dedication to maintaining the integrity of the original manuscripts. The translators of the ABC worked meticulously with the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts to ensure that their translation accurately reflects the original meaning and intent of the scriptures. By employing a balance of formal equivalence (word-for-word) and dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought) translation techniques, the ABC aims to preserve the nuances and richness of the original languages while ensuring readability and clarity for modern readers.
The ABC also incorporates extensive cross-references and study aids to enhance the reader’s understanding of the biblical text. These tools include footnotes that provide historical and cultural context, as well as explanations of difficult or ambiguous passages. This approach helps readers to grasp the deeper meanings of the scriptures and to see how different parts of the Bible interconnect. The inclusion of these study aids makes the ABC particularly useful for those who are new to the Bible, as well as for more experienced readers who are looking to deepen their understanding of the text.
Despite its strengths, the Apostles’ Bible Complete has faced some criticisms. Some readers feel that the translation could benefit from further refinement in certain passages, as the balance between formal and dynamic equivalence can sometimes lead to inconsistencies in style and tone. Others have noted that while the study aids are helpful, they can occasionally overwhelm the main text, making it difficult to focus on the scripture itself. Nonetheless, the ABC remains a valuable and respected translation, appreciated for its commitment to accuracy, clarity, and accessibility, and for its ability to bring the ancient words of the Bible to life for contemporary readers.