« | Proverbs 24 | » |
1 Be not emulous of evil men, and desire not to be with them;
2 For their hearts plot violence, and their lips speak of foul play.
3 By wisdom is a house built, by understanding is it made firm;
4 And by knowledge are its rooms filled with every precious and pleasing possession.
5 A wise man is more powerful than a strong man, and a man of knowledge than a man of might;
6 For it is by wise guidance that you wage your war, and the victory is due to a wealth of counselors.
7 For a fool, to be silent is wisdom; not to open his mouth at the gate.
8 He who plots evil doing-- men call him an intriguer.
9 Beyond intrigue and folly and sin, it is arrogance that men find abominable.
10 If you remain indifferent in time of adversity, your strength will depart from you.
11 Rescue those who are being dragged to death, and from those tottering to execution withdraw not.
12 If you say, "I know not this man!" does not he who tests hearts perceive it? He who guards your life knows it, and he will repay each one according to his deeds.
13 If you eat honey, my son, because it is good, if virgin honey is sweet to your taste;
14 Such, you must know, is wisdom to your soul. If you find it, you will have a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
15 Lie not in wait against the home of the just man, ravage not his dwelling place;
16 For the just man falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble to ruin.
17 Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and when he stumbles, let not your heart exult,
18 Lest the LORD see it, be displeased with you, and withdraw his wrath from your enemy.
19 Be not provoked with evildoers, nor envious of the wicked;
20 For the evil man has no future, the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
21 My son, fear the LORD and the king; have nothing to do with those who rebel against them;
22 For suddenly arises the destruction they send, and the ruin from either one, who can measure?
23 These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good.
24 He who says to the wicked man, "You are just"-- men will curse him, people will denounce him;
25 But those who convict the evildoer will fare well, and on them will come the blessing of prosperity.
26 He gives a kiss on the lips who makes an honest reply.
27 Complete your outdoor tasks, and arrange your work in the field; afterward you can establish your house.
28 Be not a witness against your neighbor without just cause, thus committing folly with your lips.
29 Say not, "As he did to me, so will I do to him; I will repay the man according to his deeds."
30 I passed by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man without sense;
31 And behold! it was all overgrown with thistles; its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall broken down.
32 And as I gazed at it, I reflected; I saw and learned the lesson:
33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest--
34 Then will poverty come upon you like a highwayman, and want like an armed man.
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.