« | Proverbs 12 | » |
1 A lover of training is a lover of knowledge; but a hater of teaching is like a beast.
2 A good man has grace in the eyes of the Lord; but the man of evil designs gets punishment from him.
3 No man will make himself safe through evil-doing; but the root of upright men will never be moved.
4 A woman of virtue is a crown to her husband; but she whose behaviour is a cause of shame is like a wasting disease in his bones.
5 The purposes of upright men are right, but the designs of evil-doers are deceit.
6 The words of sinners are destruction for the upright; but the mouth of upright men is their salvation.
7 Evil-doers are overturned and never seen again, but the house of upright men will keep its place.
8 A man will be praised in the measure of his wisdom, but a wrong-minded man will be looked down on.
9 He who is of low position and has a servant, is better than one who has a high opinion of himself and is in need of bread.
10 An upright man has thought for the life of his beast, but the hearts of evil-doers are cruel.
11 He who does work on his land will not be short of bread; but he who goes after foolish men is without sense.
12 The resting-place of the sinner will come to destruction, but the root of upright men is for ever.
13 In the sin of the lips is a net which takes the sinner, but the upright man will come out of trouble.
14 From the fruit of his mouth will a man have good food in full measure, and the work of a man's hands will be rewarded.
15 The way of the foolish man seems right to him? but the wise man gives ear to suggestions.
16 A foolish man lets his trouble be openly seen, but a sharp man keeps shame secret.
17 The breathing out of true words gives knowledge of righteousness; but a false witness gives out deceit.
18 There are some whose uncontrolled talk is like the wounds of a sword, but the tongue of the wise makes one well again.
19 True lips are certain for ever, but a false tongue is only for a minute.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those whose designs are evil, but for those purposing peace there is joy.
21 No trouble will come to upright men, but sinners will be full of evil.
22 False lips are hated by the Lord, but those whose acts are true are his delight.
23 A sharp man keeps back his knowledge; but the heart of foolish men makes clear their foolish thoughts.
24 The hand of the ready worker will have authority, but he who is slow in his work will be put to forced work.
25 Care in the heart of a man makes it weighted down, but a good word makes it glad.
26 The upright man is a guide to his neighbour, but the way of evil-doers is a cause of error to them.
27 He who is slow in his work does not go in search of food; but the ready worker gets much wealth.
28 In the road of righteousness is life, but the way of the evil-doer goes to death.
The Bible in Basic English (BBE)
The Bible in Basic English (BBE) is a translation of the Bible that aims to make the scriptures accessible to people with limited English proficiency. Completed in 1941 by Professor Samuel Henry Hooke and a team of scholars, the BBE utilizes a simplified vocabulary of approximately 1,000 basic English words, along with additional words necessary to maintain the integrity of the biblical text. This approach ensures that the translation is easily understandable while still conveying the core messages and teachings of the Bible.
One of the defining features of the BBE is its commitment to simplicity and clarity. By using a restricted vocabulary and straightforward sentence structures, the BBE makes it easier for readers to grasp the fundamental ideas of the scriptures without being hindered by complex language. This makes the BBE particularly valuable for non-native English speakers, children, and individuals with limited literacy skills. The translation aims to break down language barriers, allowing a broader audience to engage with Bible teachings.
Despite its simplified language, the BBE strives to remain faithful to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. The translators worked carefully to ensure that the essential meanings and theological concepts were preserved, even as they adapted the language to be more accessible. This balance of simplicity and fidelity to the original texts helps maintain the Bible’ s depth and spiritual richness while making it more approachable. The BBE’ s emphasis on clarity without sacrificing essential meaning has made it a useful tool for teaching and evangelism.
However, the BBE has faced some criticism, particularly from scholars and theologians who argue that the simplification process may lead to the loss of some nuances and deeper meanings present in the original languages. Some feel that the restricted vocabulary can oversimplify complex theological concepts, potentially limiting the reader’ s understanding of the full depth of the scriptures. Despite these criticisms, the Bible in Basic English remains a valuable resource for those seeking an easily understandable version of the Bible, providing a bridge for many to access the timeless messages contained within the holy scriptures.