Proverbs 1 | » |
1 The Proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:
2 That men may appreciate wisdom and discipline, may understand words of intelligence;
3 May receive training in wise conduct, in what is right, just and honest;
4 That resourcefulness may be imparted to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
5 A wise man by hearing them will advance in learning, an intelligent man will gain sound guidance,
6 That he may comprehend proverb and parable, the words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; wisdom and instruction fools despise.
8 Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and reject not your mother's teaching;
9 A graceful diadem will they be for your head; a torque for your neck.
10 My son, should sinners entice you,
11 and say, "Come along with us! Let us lie in wait for the honest man, let us, unprovoked, set a trap for the innocent;
12 Let us swallow them up, as the nether world does, alive, in the prime of life, like those who go down to the pit!
13 All kinds of precious wealth shall we gain, we shall fill our houses with booty;
14 Cast in your lot with us, we shall all have one purse!"--
15 My son, walk not in the way with them, hold back your foot from their path!
16 (For their feet run to evil, they hasten to shed blood.)
17 It is in vain that a net is spread before the eyes of any bird--
18 These men lie in wait for their own blood, they set a trap for their own lives.
19 This is the fate of everyone greedy of loot: unlawful gain takes away the life of him who acquires it.
20 Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the open squares she raises her voice;
21 Down the crowded ways she calls out, at the city gates she utters her words:
22 "How long, you simple ones, will you love inanity,
23 how long will you turn away at my reproof? Lo! I will pour out to you my spirit, I will acquaint you with my words.
24 "Because I called and you refused, I extended my hand and no one took notice;
25 Because you disdained all my counsel, and my reproof you ignored--
26 I, in my turn, will laugh at your doom; I will mock when terror overtakes you;
27 When terror comes upon you like a storm, and your doom approaches like a whirlwind; when distress and anguish befall you.
28 "Then they call me, but I answer not; they seek me, but find me not;
29 Because they hated knowledge, and chose not the fear of the LORD;
30 They ignored my counsel, they spurned all my reproof; And in their arrogance they preferred arrogance, and like fools they hated knowledge:
31 "Now they must eat the fruit of their own way, and with their own devices be glutted.
32 For the self-will of the simple kills them, the smugness of fools destroys them.
33 But he who obeys me dwells in security, in peace, without fear of harm."
The New American Standard Updated Version (NASU)
The New American Standard Updated Version (NASU) is a highly respected English translation of the Bible known for its rigorous adherence to the original languages of Scripture. First published in 1995 by the Lockman Foundation, the NASU is an update of the New American Standard Bible (NASB), which was originally completed in 1971. The NASU seeks to improve upon the NASB by enhancing readability and modernizing the language while maintaining the translation’s reputation for being one of the most literal translations available. This makes the NASU a preferred choice for serious Bible study, preaching, and teaching.
A key feature of the NASU is its commitment to formal equivalence, or a word-for-word translation philosophy. The translators aimed to produce a text that is as close as possible to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts. This approach ensures that the NASU captures the precise meaning and structure of the original texts, providing readers with a highly accurate and reliable representation of the Scriptures. The use of formal equivalence makes the NASU particularly valuable for those who desire a deep and detailed understanding of the Bible, including scholars, theologians, and students of the Word.
In updating the NASB, the NASU made several important changes to improve clarity and readability. While maintaining the accuracy and literalness of the translation, the NASU incorporates modern English expressions and smoother sentence structures. This makes the text more accessible to contemporary readers without compromising the precision that the NASB is known for. The NASU also includes updated cross-references and footnotes, which provide additional context and insights, further aiding in the study and understanding of the biblical text.
Despite its many strengths, the NASU has faced some criticism. Some readers and scholars argue that the translation’s emphasis on literalness can sometimes result in a text that feels stiff or less fluid than more dynamic translations. Additionally, while the NASU’s updated language makes it more accessible, some feel that it could go further in adapting to contemporary usage without losing its accuracy. Nevertheless, the New American Standard Updated Version remains a highly esteemed translation, valued for its fidelity to the original texts and its usefulness for in-depth study and precise interpretation of the Bible.