« | Proverbs 30 | » |
1 The words of Agur son of Jakeh. An oracle. Thus says the man: I am weary, O God, I am weary, O God. How can I prevail?
2 Surely I am too stupid to be human; I do not have human understanding.
3 I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the holy ones.
4 Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in the hollow of the hand? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is the person's name? And what is the name of the person's child? Surely you know!
5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6 Do not add to his words, or else he will rebuke you, and you will be found a liar.
7 Two things I ask of you; do not deny them to me before I die:
8 Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that I need,
9 or I shall be full, and deny you, and say, "Who is the LORD?" or I shall be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my God.
10 Do not slander a servant to a master, or the servant will curse you, and you will be held guilty.
11 There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.
12 There are those who are pure in their own eyes yet are not cleansed of their filthiness.
13 There are those-- how lofty are their eyes, how high their eyelids lift!
14 There are those whose teeth are swords, whose teeth are knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, the needy from among mortals.
15 The leech has two daughters; "Give, give," they cry. Three things are never satisfied; four never say, "Enough":
16 Sheol, the barren womb, the earth ever thirsty for water, and the fire that never says, "Enough."
17 The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the vultures.
18 Three things are too wonderful for me; four 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 on the high seas, and the way of a man with a girl.
20 This is the way of an adulteress: she eats, and wipes her mouth, and says, "I have done no wrong."
21 Under three things the earth trembles; under four it cannot bear up:
22 a slave when he becomes king, and a fool when glutted with food;
23 an unloved woman when she gets a husband, and a maid when she succeeds her mistress.
24 Four things on earth are small, yet they are exceedingly wise:
25 the ants are a people without strength, yet they provide their food in the summer;
26 the badgers are a people without power, yet they make their homes in the rocks;
27 the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank;
28 the lizard can be grasped in the hand, yet it is found in kings' palaces.
29 Three things are stately in their stride; four are stately in their gait:
30 the lion, which is mightiest among wild animals and does not turn back before any;
31 the strutting rooster, the he-goat, and a king striding before his people.
32 If you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth.
33 For as pressing milk produces curds, and pressing the nose produces blood, so pressing anger produces strife.
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.