« | Proverbs 17 | » |
1 Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting-- and conflict.
2 A wise servant will rule over the master's disgraceful son and will share the inheritance of the master's children.
3 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the LORD tests the heart.
4 Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander.
5 Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.
6 Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.
7 Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler.
8 A bribe is like a lucky charm; whoever gives one will prosper!
9 Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.
10 A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.
11 Evil people are eager for rebellion, but they will be severely punished.
12 It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than to confront a fool caught in foolishness.
13 If you repay good with evil, evil will never leave your house.
14 Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out.
15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent-- both are detestable to the LORD.
16 It is senseless to pay tuition to educate a fool, since he has no heart for learning.
17 A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.
18 It's poor judgment to guarantee another person's debt or put up security for a friend.
19 Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin; anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster.
20 The crooked heart will not prosper; the lying tongue tumbles into trouble.
21 It is painful to be the parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel.
22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength.
23 The wicked take secret bribes to pervert the course of justice.
24 Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
25 Foolish children bring grief to their father and bitterness to the one who gave them birth.
26 It is wrong to punish the godly for being good or to flog leaders for being honest.
27 A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.
28 Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.
The New Living Translation (NLT)
The New Living Translation (NLT) is a modern English translation of the Bible that aims to make the Scriptures accessible and engaging for contemporary readers. First published in 1996 by Tyndale House Publishers, the NLT was conceived as an effort to create a translation that combines both accuracy and readability. Unlike many other translations that focus on a word-for-word rendering of the original texts, the NLT employs a thought-for-thought translation philosophy, also known as dynamic equivalence. This approach prioritizes conveying the meaning and message of the original texts in a way that is natural and understandable in modern English.
One of the defining features of the NLT is its commitment to clarity and simplicity. The translators, a team of over 90 evangelical scholars, aimed to create a text that would be approachable for a wide audience, including those who may find traditional translations challenging to read. The NLT’s language is contemporary and conversational, making it particularly effective for public reading, teaching, and personal study. This emphasis on readability helps ensure that the profound messages of the Bible are easily grasped and retained by readers from various backgrounds and levels of biblical knowledge.
The NLT also incorporates a rich array of study aids designed to enhance the reader’s understanding of the biblical text. These include book introductions, footnotes, cross-references, and explanatory notes that provide historical, cultural, and theological context. These features are particularly useful for readers who seek a deeper comprehension of the Scriptures and their application to modern life. The translation also includes clear and concise headings that help guide readers through the narrative and thematic structure of each book, making it easier to follow and comprehend the overall message.
Despite its many strengths, the New Living Translation has faced some criticism, particularly from those who favor more literal translations. Critics argue that the dynamic equivalence approach, while making the text more readable, can sometimes result in a loss of the precise nuances and literary qualities of the original languages. Some scholars believe that certain theological concepts might be oversimplified in the process of making the text more accessible. Nevertheless, the NLT remains one of the most popular and widely used translations today, valued for its readability, clarity, and ability to convey the timeless truths of the Bible in a way that resonates with contemporary readers.