« | Proverbs 18 | » |
1 In estrangement one seeks pretexts: with all persistence he picks a quarrel.
2 The fool takes no delight in understanding, but rather in displaying what he thinks.
3 With wickedness comes contempt, and with disgrace comes scorn.
4 The words from a man's mouth are deep waters, but the source of wisdom is a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to be partial to the guilty, and so to reject a rightful claim.
6 The fool's lips lead him into strife, and his mouth provokes a beating.
7 The fool's mouth is his ruin; his lips are a snare to his life.
8 The words of a talebearer are like dainty morsels that sink into one's inmost being.
9 The man who is slack in his work is own brother to the man who is destructive.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the just man runs to it and is safe.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city; he fancies it a high wall.
12 Before his downfall a man's heart is haughty, but humility goes before honors.
13 He who answers before he hears-- his is the folly and the shame.
14 A man's spirit sustains him in infirmity-- but a broken spirit who can bear?
15 The mind of the intelligent gains knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man's gift clears the way for him, and gains him access to great men.
17 The man who pleads his case first seems to be in the right; then his opponent comes and puts him to the test.
18 The lot puts an end to disputes, and is decisive in a controversy between the mighty.
19 A brother is a better defense than a strong city, and a friend is like the bars of a castle.
20 From the fruit of his mouth a man has his fill; with the yield of his lips he sates himself.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who make it a friend shall eat its fruit.
22 He who finds a wife finds happiness; it is a favor he receives from the LORD.
23 The poor man implores, but the rich man answers harshly.
24 Some friends bring ruin on us, but a true friend is more loyal than a brother.
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.