« | Proverbs 26 | » |
1 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, an undeserved curse goes nowhere.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Do not answer fools according to their folly, or you will be a fool yourself.
5 Answer fools according to their folly, or they will be wise in their own eyes.
6 It is like cutting off one's foot and drinking down violence, to send a message by a fool.
7 The legs of a disabled person hang limp; so does a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
8 It is like binding a stone in a sling to give honor to a fool.
9 Like a thornbush brandished by the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10 Like an archer who wounds everybody is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.
11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit is a fool who reverts to his folly.
12 Do you see persons wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for fools than for them.
13 The lazy person says, "There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!"
14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a lazy person in bed.
15 The lazy person buries a hand in the dish, and is too tired to bring it back to the mouth.
16 The lazy person is wiser in self-esteem than seven who can answer discreetly.
17 Like somebody who takes a passing dog by the ears is one who meddles in the quarrel of another.
18 Like a maniac who shoots deadly firebrands and arrows,
19 so is one who deceives a neighbor and says, "I am only joking!"
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
21 As charcoal is to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
23 Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are smooth lips with an evil heart.
24 An enemy dissembles in speaking while harboring deceit within;
25 when an enemy speaks graciously, do not believe it, for there are seven abominations concealed within;
26 though hatred is covered with guile, the enemy's wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on the one who starts it rolling.
28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
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.