« | Proverbs 24 | » |
1 Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them;
2 For their heart devises violence, And their lips talk of troublemaking.
3 Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established;
4 By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man [is] strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;
6 For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors [there is] safety.
7 Wisdom [is] too lofty for a fool; He does not open his mouth in the gate.
8 He who plots to do evil Will be called a schemer.
9 The devising of foolishness [is] sin, And the scoffer [is] an abomination to men.
10 [If] you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength [is] small.
11 Deliver [those who] are drawn toward death, And hold back [those] stumbling to the slaughter.
12 If you say, "Surely we did not know this," Does not He who weighs the hearts consider [it?] He who keeps your soul, does He [not] know [it?] And will He [not] render to [each] man according to his deeds?
13 My son, eat honey because [it is] good, And the honeycomb [which is] sweet to your taste;
14 So [shall] the knowledge of wisdom [be] to your soul; If you have found [it,] there is a prospect, And your hope will not be cut off.
15 Do not lie in wait, O wicked [man,] against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not plunder his resting place;
16 For a righteous [man] may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
18 Lest the LORD see [it,] and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him.
19 Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the wicked;
20 For there will be no prospect for the evil [man;] The lamp of the wicked will be put out.
21 My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those given to change;
22 For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin those two can bring?
23 These [things] also [belong] to the wise: [It is] not good to show partiality in judgment.
24 He who says to the wicked, "You [are] righteous," Him the people will curse; Nations will abhor him.
25 But those who rebuke [the wicked] will have delight, And a good blessing will come upon them.
26 He who gives a right answer kisses the lips.
27 Prepare your outside work, Make it fit for yourself in the field; And afterward build your house.
28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, For would you deceive with your lips?
29 Do not say, "I will do to him just as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work."
30 I went by the field of the lazy [man,] And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding;
31 And there it was, all overgrown with thorns; Its surface was covered with nettles; Its stone wall was broken down.
32 When I saw [it,] I considered [it] well; I looked on [it and] received instruction:
33 A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest;
34 So shall your poverty come [like] a prowler, And your need like an armed man.
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.