« | Proverbs 28 | » |
1 The sinful run away when no one is trying to catch them, but those who are right with God have as much strength of heart as a lion.
2 When a nation sins, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and much learning, it will last a long time.
3 A poor man who makes it hard for the poor is like a heavy rain which leaves no food.
4 Those who turn away from the law praise the sinful, but those who keep the law fight against them.
5 Sinful men do not understand what is right and fair, but those who look to the Lord understand all things.
6 A poor man who walks in his honor is better than a rich man who is sinful in his ways.
7 He who keeps the law is a wise son, but a friend of men who eat too much puts his father to shame.
8 He who gets money by being paid much for the use of it, gathers it for him who will be kind to the poor.
9 He who turns his ear away from listening to the law, even his prayer is a hated thing.
10 He who leads good people into a sinful way will fall into his own deep hole, but good will come to those without blame.
11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes, but the poor man who has understanding sees through him.
12 When those who are right with God win, there is great honor, but when the sinful rule, men hide themselves.
13 It will not go well for the man who hides his sins, but he who tells his sins and turns from them will be given loving-pity.
14 Happy is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who makes his heart hard will fall into trouble.
15 A sinful ruler over poor people is like a lion making noise or a bear running to fight.
16 A ruler who takes much from the people who have little does not have understanding. But he who hates wanting something that belongs to someone else will live a long time.
17 A man who is loaded down with the guilt of human blood will run in fear until death. Let no one help him.
18 He who walks without blame will be kept safe, but he who is sinful will fall all at once.
19 He who works his land will have more than enough food, but he who wastes his time will become very poor.
20 A faithful man will have many good things, but he who hurries to be rich will be punished for it.
21 To show favor is not good, because a man will sin for a piece of bread.
22 A man with a sinful eye hurries to be rich. He does not know that he will be in need.
23 He who speaks strong words to a man will later find more favor than he who gives false respect with his tongue.
24 He who robs his father or his mother, and says, "It is not a sin," is the friend of a man who destroys.
25 A proud man starts fights, but all will go well for the man who trusts in the Lord.
26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be kept safe.
27 He who gives to the poor will never want, but many bad things will happen to the man who shuts his eyes to the poor.
28 When the sinful rule, men hide themselves, but when they pass away, those who do what is right become many.
The New Life Version (NLV)
The New Life Version (NLV) is a unique English translation of the Bible designed to be exceptionally easy to read and understand. First published in 1969, the NLV was created by Gleason Ledyard, a missionary and linguist, to make the Scriptures accessible to people who have limited English proficiency or are new to the language. Ledyard’s aim was to provide a Bible that even those with minimal education could read and comprehend, thus opening the door for a wider audience to engage with the biblical texts.
A defining characteristic of the New Life Version is its use of a limited vocabulary of about 850 basic English words, along with some necessary theological terms. This restricted vocabulary ensures that the language remains simple and straightforward, making the text accessible to young readers, new Christians, and those for whom English is a second language. The translators also avoided idiomatic expressions and complex sentence structures, further enhancing clarity and understanding. This makes the NLV a particularly valuable resource for educational and missionary work.
The NLV also emphasizes faithfulness to the original texts, despite its simplified language. The translation aims to maintain the integrity and message of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts. By carefully choosing words that accurately convey the meaning of the original texts while ensuring simplicity, the NLV provides a balance between accessibility and fidelity. Additionally, the NLV includes explanatory footnotes and cross-references that help readers understand the context and deeper meanings of the passages, making it a useful tool for both personal study and group teaching.
However, the New Life Version is not without its critics. Some scholars and traditionalists argue that the limited vocabulary and simplified language can lead to a loss of nuance and depth found in the original texts. They suggest that the NLV’s focus on simplicity may sometimes oversimplify complex theological concepts. Despite these criticisms, the New Life Version remains a valuable translation for its intended audience, offering a clear and approachable rendition of the Bible that helps a wide range of readers engage with the Scriptures and grow in their faith.