« | Proverbs 24 | » |
1 Don't be jealous of evil people. Have no desire to be around them.
2 In their hearts they plan to do evil. All they talk about is making trouble. — 20 —
3 Good homes are built on wisdom and understanding.
4 Knowledge fills the rooms with rare and beautiful treasures. — 21 —
5 Wisdom makes a man more powerful. Knowledge gives a man strength.
6 Get good advice before you start a war. To win, you must have many good advisors. — 22 —
7 Fools cannot understand wisdom. They have nothing to say when people are discussing important things. — 23 —
8 If you start planning ways to do wrong, people will learn that you are a troublemaker.
9 Such foolish plans are wrong, and people have no respect for someone who laughs at what is right. — 24 —
10 If you are weak in times of trouble, that is real weakness. — 25 —
11 If you see someone on their way to death or in danger of being killed, you must do something to save them.
12 You cannot say, "It's none of my business." The Lord knows everything, and he knows why you do things. He watches you, and he will pay you back for what you do. — 26 —
13 My son, eat honey; it is good. Honey straight from the honeycomb is the sweetest.
14 In the same way, know that wisdom is good for you. Wisdom will give you something to hope for that will not disappoint you. — 27 —
15 Don't be like a criminal who makes plans to rob those who are good or take away their homes.
16 Good people might fall again and again, but they always get up. It is the wicked who are defeated by their troubles. — 28 —
17 Don't be happy when your enemy has troubles. Don't be glad when they fall.
18 The Lord will see this, and he might be upset with you and decide not to punish your enemy. — 29 —
19 Don't let those who are evil upset you, and don't be jealous of them.
20 They have no hope. Their light will burn out. — 30 —
21 Son, respect the Lord and the king, and don't join with those who are against them,
22 because people like that can quickly be destroyed. You have no idea how much trouble God and the king can make for their enemies.
23 These are also words from the wise: A judge must be fair. He must not support some people simply because he knows them.
24 The people will turn against a judge who lets the guilty go free. Even the people of other nations will curse him.
25 But if a judge punishes the guilty, then people will be happy with him, and he will be a blessing to them.
26 An honest answer is as pleasing as a kiss on the lips.
27 First get your fields ready, next plant your crops, and then build your house.
28 Don't speak against someone without a good reason, or you will appear foolish.
29 Don't say, "You hurt me, so I will do the same to you. I will punish you for what you did to me."
30 I walked past a field that belonged to a lazy man. It was a vineyard that belonged to someone who understood nothing.
31 Weeds were growing everywhere! Wild vines covered the ground, and the wall around the vineyard was broken and falling down.
32 I looked at this and thought about it. This is what I learned:
33 a little sleep, a little rest, folding your arms, and taking a nap—34these things will make you poor very quickly. Soon you will have nothing, as if a thief broke in and took everything away.
The Easy-To-Read Version (ERV)
The Easy-To-Read Version (ERV) is a Bible translation specifically designed to be accessible and comprehensible for people with limited reading skills or those for whom English is a second language. Originally published in 1987 by the World Bible Translation Center, the ERV was initially developed to serve the deaf community, using a simplified vocabulary and straightforward sentence structures. The goal of the ERV is to make the scriptures understandable to a wide range of readers, ensuring that everyone can grasp the essential messages of the Bible without being hindered by complex language or archaic terms.
One of the defining characteristics of the ERV is its commitment to clarity and simplicity. The translators employed a thought-for-thought translation philosophy, focusing on conveying the meaning of the original texts in plain, everyday English. This approach ensures that readers can easily comprehend the Bible’s teachings and narratives, making it a valuable resource for children, new Christians, and those with limited literacy skills. The ERV avoids technical theological terms and instead uses language that is commonly spoken, making it accessible for personal study and public reading alike.
The ERV also pays careful attention to the cultural and contextual nuances of the original manuscripts. The translators sought to present the Bible’s messages in a way that is relevant and meaningful to contemporary readers while maintaining faithfulness to the original texts. This cultural sensitivity helps bridge the gap between ancient scriptures and modern readers, allowing them to connect more deeply with the biblical stories and teachings. Additionally, the ERV includes helpful footnotes and cross-references that provide further explanation and context, enhancing the reader’s understanding of the text.
Despite its strengths, the ERV has faced some criticism from those who prefer more traditional or literal translations. Critics argue that the simplified language and thought-for-thought approach can sometimes result in a loss of depth and richness found in the original texts. Some theologians believe that the ERV’s emphasis on accessibility may lead to oversimplification of complex theological concepts. Nonetheless, the Easy-To-Read Version remains a highly valuable translation for its target audience, offering a clear and approachable rendition of the Bible that helps people of all backgrounds engage with and understand the scriptures.