« | Proverbs 24 | » |
1 Don't envy evil people or desire their company.
2 For their hearts plot violence, and their words always stir up trouble.
3 A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense.
4 Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.
5 The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.
6 So don't go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many advisers.
7 Wisdom is too lofty for fools. Among leaders at the city gate, they have nothing to say.
8 A person who plans evil will get a reputation as a troublemaker.
9 The schemes of a fool are sinful; everyone detests a mocker.
10 If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small.
11 Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die; save them as they stagger to their death.
12 Don't excuse yourself by saying, "Look, we didn't know." For God understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve.
13 My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste.
14 In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short.
15 Don't wait in ambush at the home of the godly, and don't raid the house where the godly live.
16 The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.
17 Don't rejoice when your enemies fall; don't be happy when they stumble.
18 For the LORD will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from them.
19 Don't fret because of evildoers; don't envy the wicked.
20 For evil people have no future; the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.
21 My child, fear the LORD and the king. Don't associate with rebels,
22 for disaster will hit them suddenly. Who knows what punishment will come from the LORD and the king?
23 Here are some further sayings of the wise: It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment.
24 A judge who says to the wicked, "You are innocent," will be cursed by many people and denounced by the nations.
25 But it will go well for those who convict the guilty; rich blessings will be showered on them.
26 An honest answer is like a kiss of friendship.
27 Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house.
28 Don't testify against your neighbors without cause; don't lie about them.
29 And don't say, "Now I can pay them back for what they've done to me! I'll get even with them!"
30 I walked by the field of a lazy person, the vineyard of one with no common sense.
31 I saw that it was overgrown with nettles. It was covered with weeds, and its walls were broken down.
32 Then, as I looked and thought about it, I learned this lesson:
33 A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest--
34 then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.
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.