« | Proverbs 26 | » |
1 As snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight.
3 A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool's back.
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off [his own] feet [and] drinks violence.
7 [Like] the legs of the lame that hang limp [Is] a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling [Is] he who gives honor to a fool.
9 [Like] a thorn [that] goes into the hand of a drunkard [Is] a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 The great [God] who formed everything Gives the fool [his] hire and the transgressor [his] wages.
11 As a dog returns to his own vomit, [So] a fool repeats his folly.
12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? [There is] more hope for a fool than for him.
13 The lazy [man] says, "[There is] a lion in the road! A fierce lion [is] in the streets!"
14 [As] a door turns on its hinges, So [does] the lazy [man] on his bed.
15 The lazy [man] buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.
16 The lazy [man is] wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly.
17 He who passes by [and] meddles in a quarrel not his own [Is like] one who takes a dog by the ears.
18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 [Is] the man [who] deceives his neighbor, And says, "I was only joking!"
20 Where [there is] no wood, the fire goes out; And where [there is] no talebearer, strife ceases.
21 [As] charcoal [is] to burning coals, and wood to fire, So [is] a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer [are] like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.
23 Fervent lips with a wicked heart [Are like] earthenware covered with silver dross.
24 He who hates, disguises [it] with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself;
25 When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For [there are] seven abominations in his heart;
26 [Though his] hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
28 A lying tongue hates [those who are] crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.
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.