« | Proverbs 20 | » |
1 Wine is arrogant, strong drink is riotous; none who goes astray for it is wise.
2 The dread of the king is as when a lion roars; he who incurs his anger forfeits his life.
3 It is honorable for a man to shun strife, while every fool starts a quarrel.
4 In seedtime the sluggard plows not; when he looks for the harvest, it is not there.
5 The intention in the human heart is like water far below the surface, but the man of intelligence draws it forth.
6 Many are declared to be men of virtue: but who can find one worthy of trust?
7 When a man walks in integrity and justice, happy are his children after him!
8 A king seated on the throne of judgment dispels all evil with his glance.
9 Who can say, "I have made my heart clean, I am cleansed of my sin"?
10 Varying weights, varying measures, are both an abomination to the LORD.
11 Even by his manners the child betrays whether his conduct is innocent and right.
12 The ear that hears, and the eye that sees-- the LORD has made them both.
13 Love not sleep, lest you be reduced to poverty; eyes wide open mean abundant food.
14 "Bad, bad!" says the buyer; but once he has gone his way, he boasts.
15 Like gold or a wealth of corals, wise lips are a precious ornament.
16 Take his garment who becomes surety for another, and for strangers yield it up!
17 The bread of deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
18 Plans made after advice succeed; so with wise guidance wage your war.
19 A newsmonger reveals secrets; so have nothing to do with a babbler!
20 If one curses his father or mother, his lamp will go out at the coming of darkness.
21 Possessions gained hastily at the outset will in the end not be blessed.
22 Say not, "I will repay evil!" Trust in the LORD and he will help you.
23 Varying weights are an abomination to the LORD, and false scales are not good.
24 Man's steps are from the LORD; how, then, can a man understand his way?
25 Rashly to pledge a sacred gift is a trap for a man, or to regret a vow once made.
26 A wise king winnows the wicked, and threshes them under the cartwheel.
27 A lamp from the LORD is the breath of man; it searches through all his inmost being.
28 Kindness and piety safeguard the king, and he upholds his throne by justice.
29 The glory of young men is their strength, and the dignity of old men is gray hair.
30 Evil is cleansed away by bloody lashes, and a scourging to the inmost being.
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.