« | Proverbs 30 | » |
1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh of Massa. The man says to Ithiel and Ucal:
2 For sure, I am more foolish than any man, and I do not have the understanding of a man.
3 I have not learned wisdom, and I do not know much about the Holy One.
4 Who has gone up into heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has gathered the waters in His coat? Who has put in place all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son's name? For sure you know!
5 Every word of God has been proven true. He is a safe-covering to those who trust in Him.
6 Do not add to His words, or He will speak strong words to you and prove you to be a liar.
7 Two things I have asked of You. Do not keep me from having them before I die:
8 Take lies and what is false far from me. Do not let me be poor or rich. Feed me with the food that I need.
9 Then I will not be afraid that I will be full and turn my back against You and say, "Who is the Lord?" And I will not be afraid that I will be poor and steal, and bring shame on the name of my God.
10 Do not speak against a slave while talking with his owner, or he may curse you and you will be found guilty.
11 There are those who curse their fathers, and do not honor their mothers.
12 There are people who are pure in their own eyes, but are not washed from their own dirt.
13 There is a kind, O, how proud are his eyes! His eyes are opened wide with pride.
14 There is a kind of man whose teeth are swords, whose jaws are like knives, who eat up those who are suffering from the earth, and those in need from among men.
15 The one who lives by the blood of another has two daughters, "Give," "Give." There are three things that are never filled, four that never say, "Enough":
16 The place of the dead, the woman who cannot have children, the earth that is always thirsty for water, and fire that never says, "Enough."
17 The eye that makes fun of a father and hates to obey a mother will be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the young eagles.
18 There are three things which are too great for me, four which I do not understand:
19 The way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship out at sea, and the way of a man with a woman.
20 This is the way of a woman who is not faithful in marriage: She eats and washes her mouth, and says, "I have done no wrong."
21 Under three things the earth shakes, and under four it cannot stand:
22 Under a servant when he becomes king, under a fool when he is filled with food,
23 under a woman who is not loved when she gets a husband, and under a woman servant when she takes the place of the woman of the house.
24 There are four things that are small on the earth, but they are very wise:
25 The ants are not a strong people, but they store up their food in the summer.
26 The badgers are not a strong people, but they make their houses in the rocks.
27 The locusts have no king, but they go as an army.
28 You can take the lizard in your hands, but it is found in kings' houses.
29 There are three things which have honor in their steps, even four which show honor in their walk:
30 The lion, which is powerful among wild animals and does not turn away from any,
31 the proud rooster, the male goat, and a king when his army is with him.
32 If you have been foolish in honoring yourself, or if you have planned wrong-doing, put your hand on your mouth.
33 Shaking milk makes butter, and hitting the nose brings blood. So fighting comes because of anger.
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.