« | Proverbs 23 | » |
1 When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you,
2 and put a knife to your throat if you have a big appetite.
3 Do not desire the ruler's delicacies, for they are deceptive food.
4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to desist.
5 When your eyes light upon it, it is gone; for suddenly it takes wings to itself, flying like an eagle toward heaven.
6 Do not eat the bread of the stingy; do not desire their delicacies;
7 for like a hair in the throat, so are they. "Eat and drink!" they say to you; but they do not mean it.
8 You will vomit up the little you have eaten, and you will waste your pleasant words.
9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, who will only despise the wisdom of your words.
10 Do not remove an ancient landmark or encroach on the fields of orphans,
11 for their redeemer is strong; he will plead their cause against you.
12 Apply your mind to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.
13 Do not withhold discipline from your children; if you beat them with a rod, they will not die.
14 If you beat them with the rod, you will save their lives from Sheol.
15 My child, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad.
16 My soul will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.
17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always continue in the fear of the LORD.
18 Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
19 Hear, my child, and be wise, and direct your mind in the way.
20 Do not be among winebibbers, or among gluttonous eaters of meat;
21 for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them with rags.
22 Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23 Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who begets a wise son will be glad in him.
25 Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice.
26 My child, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.
27 For a prostitute is a deep pit; an adulteress is a narrow well.
28 She lies in wait like a robber and increases the number of the faithless.
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?
30 Those who linger late over wine, those who keep trying mixed wines.
31 Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.
32 At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like an adder.
33 Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind utter perverse things.
34 You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast.
35 "They struck me," you will say, "but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I will seek another drink."
The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) is a highly respected English translation of the Bible that was first published in 1989 by the National Council of Churches. It was developed as an update to the Revised Standard Version (RSV) of 1952, with the goal of incorporating the latest biblical scholarship and addressing changes in the English language. The NRSV is renowned for its accuracy, literary quality, and ecumenical approach, making it a preferred choice for both academic study and liturgical use across various Christian denominations.
One of the primary features of the NRSV is its commitment to being a literal, or word-for-word, translation while also ensuring that the text is clear and comprehensible for modern readers. The translation team, which included scholars from diverse religious backgrounds, aimed to produce a text that faithfully represents the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts. This dedication to precision and clarity makes the NRSV an excellent resource for in-depth study and theological reflection, as it strives to convey the exact meaning of the original texts.
The NRSV is also notable for its inclusive language, which seeks to reflect the diversity of the contemporary Christian community. The translators took great care to avoid gender-specific language when the original texts did not explicitly require it, making the text more inclusive and accessible to all readers. This approach has been particularly appreciated in academic and liturgical settings, where sensitivity to gender and inclusivity are important considerations. The NRSV’s attention to inclusive language helps ensure that all readers can see themselves reflected in the biblical narrative.
Despite its many strengths, the NRSV has faced some criticism, particularly from those who prefer more traditional translations. Critics argue that the use of inclusive language can sometimes lead to interpretations that differ from the original intent of the texts. Additionally, some conservative scholars and readers feel that the NRSV’s ecumenical approach may result in compromises on certain theological nuances. Nonetheless, the New Revised Standard Version remains a highly valued translation, widely used in churches, seminaries, and universities for its scholarly rigor, literary excellence, and commitment to inclusivity.