« | Proverbs 27 | » |
1 Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.
3 A stone [is] heavy and sand [is] weighty, But a fool's wrath [is] heavier than both of them.
4 Wrath [is] cruel and anger a torrent, But who [is] able to stand before jealousy?
5 Open rebuke [is] better Than love carefully concealed.
6 Faithful [are] the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy [are] deceitful.
7 A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, But to a hungry soul every bitter thing [is] sweet.
8 Like a bird that wanders from its nest [Is] a man who wanders from his place.
9 Ointment and perfume delight the heart, And the sweetness of a man's friend [gives delight] by hearty counsel.
10 Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend, Nor go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity; Better [is] a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, That I may answer him who reproaches me.
12 A prudent [man] foresees evil [and] hides himself; The simple pass on [and] are punished.
13 Take the garment of him who is surety for a stranger, And hold it in pledge [when] he is surety for a seductress.
14 He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, It will be counted a curse to him.
15 A continual dripping on a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike;
16 Whoever restrains her restrains the wind, And grasps oil with his right hand.
17 [As] iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
18 Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit; So he who waits on his master will be honored.
19 As in water face [reflects] face, So a man's heart [reveals] the man.
20 Hell and Destruction are never full; So the eyes of man are never satisfied.
21 The refining pot [is] for silver and the furnace for gold, And a man [is valued] by what others say of him.
22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, [Yet] his foolishness will not depart from him.
23 Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, [And] attend to your herds;
24 For riches [are] not forever, Nor does a crown [endure] to all generations.
25 [When] the hay is removed, and the tender grass shows itself, And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in,
26 The lambs [will provide] your clothing, And the goats the price of a field;
27 [You shall have] enough goats' milk for your food, For the food of your household, And the nourishment of your maidservants.
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.