« | Proverbs 17 | » |
1 Better a dry crust with peace than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 An intelligent servant will rule over a worthless son, and will share the inheritance with the brothers.
3 The crucible for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the tester of hearts is the LORD.
4 The evil man gives heed to wicked lips, and listens to falsehood from a mischievous tongue.
5 He who mocks the poor blasphemes his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
6 Grandchildren are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their parentage.
7 Fine words are out of place in a fool; how much more, lying words in a noble!
8 A man who has a bribe to offer rates it a magic stone; at every turn it brings him success.
9 He who covers up a misdeed fosters friendship, but he who gossips about it separates friends.
10 A single reprimand does more for a man of intelligence than a hundred lashes for a fool.
11 On rebellion alone is the wicked man bent, but a merciless messenger will be sent against him.
12 Face a bear robbed of her cubs, but never a fool in his folly!
13 If a man returns evil for good, from his house evil will not depart.
14 The start of strife is like the opening of a dam; therefore, check a quarrel before it begins!
15 He who condones the wicked, he who condemns the just, are both an abomination to the LORD.
16 Of what use in the fool's hand are the means to buy wisdom, since he has no mind for it?
17 He who is a friend is always a friend, and a brother is born for the time of stress.
18 Senseless is the man who gives his hand in pledge, who becomes surety for his neighbor.
19 He who loves strife loves guilt; he who builds his gate high courts disaster.
20 He who is perverse in heart finds no good, and a double-tongued man falls into trouble.
21 To be a fool's parent is grief for a man; the father of a numskull has no joy.
22 A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones.
23 The wicked man accepts a concealed bribe to pervert the course of justice.
24 The man of intelligence fixes his gaze on wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is vexation to his father, and bitter sorrow to her who bore him.
26 It is wrong to fine an innocent man, but beyond reason to scourge princes.
27 He who spares his words is truly wise, and he who is chary of speech is a man of intelligence.
28 Even a fool, if he keeps silent, is considered wise; if he closes his lips, intelligent.
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.