« | Proverbs 8 | » |
1 Does not wisdom cry out, and understanding put forth her voice?
2 On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.
3 Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors, she cries aloud:
4 To you, O men, I call. And my voice is to the sons of men.
5 O ye simple, understand prudence, and, ye fools, be of an understanding heart.
6 Hear, for I will speak excellent things. And the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7 For my mouth shall utter truth. And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
9 They are all plain to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
12 I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling, and find out knowledge and discretion.
13 The fear of LORD is to hate evil. Pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the perverse mouth, do I hate.
14 Counsel is mine, and sound knowledge. I am understanding, I have might.
15 By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice.
16 By me rulers rule, and ranking men, even all the judges of the earth.
17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently shall find me.
18 Riches and honor are with me, durable wealth and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold, and my revenue than choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice,
21 that I may cause those who love me to inherit substance, and that I may fill their treasuries.
22 LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth was,
24 when there were no depths. I was brought forth when there were no fountains abounding with water,
25 before the mountains were settled, before the hills. I was brought forth
26 while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.
27 When he established the heavens, I was there. When he set a circle upon the face of the deep,
28 when he made firm the skies above, when the fountains of the deep became strong,
29 when he gave to the sea its bound that the waters should not transgress his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
30 then I was by him, a master workman. And I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him,
31 rejoicing in his habitable earth. And my delight was with the sons of men.
32 Now therefore, ye sons, hearken to me. For blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and do not refuse it.
34 Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35 For he who finds me finds life, and shall obtain favor of LORD.
36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.
A Conservative Version (ACV)
A Conservative Version (ACV) of the Bible is a translation that aims to provide a conservative and literal interpretation of the biblical texts. Developed with a focus on maintaining fidelity to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts, the ACV emphasizes a word-for-word translation methodology. The goal is to preserve the subtleties and nuances of the original languages as accurately as possible. This approach results in a version of the Bible that seeks to remain true to the text's original meaning and context, appealing to readers who prioritize precision and doctrinal integrity.
The text of the Old Testament for A Conservative Version (ACV) came from the American Standard Version published in 1901. The main changes done for the ACV were the replacement of archaic words with more modern ones, except for the old English pronouns, which were kept because they are more communicative. The New Testament was translated from, The New Testament in the Original Greek According to the Byzantine-Majority Text form. That edition was compiled by Maurice A. Robinson and William G. Pierpont, and is of the Textus Receptus tradition from which came the King James Version.
The ACV was created in response to what its translators saw as a trend toward more liberal or dynamic-equivalence translations that prioritize readability over literal accuracy. The translators aimed to produce a text that adheres closely to the original languages, even if this makes the translation more challenging for contemporary readers. This reflects their belief in the importance of preserving the exact words and phrases used in the original scriptures. The ACV also employs traditional theological terminology and phrasing, avoiding modern slang and colloquial expressions in favor of language that conveys the gravity and solemnity of the biblical message.
While the ACV has found appreciation among conservative circles, it has faced criticism for its perceived rigidity and difficulty. Critics argue that its strict adherence to a word-for-word translation can make the text less readable and accessible, potentially alienating readers unfamiliar with the original languages or who prefer a more fluid translation. Despite these criticisms, the ACV remains a valued translation for those who prioritize a conservative and literal approach to Bible interpretation, supporting their doctrinal views with a text they believe closely reflects the original scriptures.