« | Proverbs 26 | » |
1 Like snow in summer, or rain in harvest, honor for a fool is out of place.
2 Like the sparrow in its flitting, like the swallow in its flight, a curse uncalled-for arrives nowhere.
3 The whip for the horse, the bridle for the ass, and the rod for the back of fools.
4 Answer not the fool according to his folly, lest you too become like him.
5 Answer the fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.
6 He cuts off his feet, he drinks down violence, who sends messages by a fool.
7 A proverb in the mouth of a fool hangs limp, like crippled legs.
8 Like one who entangles the stone in the sling is he who gives honor to a fool.
9 Like a thorn stick brandished by the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 Like an archer wounding all who pass by is he who hires a drunken fool.
11 As the dog returns to his vomit, so the fool repeats his folly.
12 You see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the street, a lion in the middle of the square!"
14 The door turns on its hinges, the sluggard, on his bed!
15 The sluggard loses his hand in the dish; he is too weary to lift it to his mouth.
16 The sluggard imagines himself wiser than seven men who answer with good sense.
17 Like the man who seizes a passing dog by the ears is he who meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18 Like a crazed archer scattering firebrands and deadly arrows
19 Is the man who deceives his neighbor, and then says, "I was only joking."
20 For lack of wood, the fire dies out; and when there is no talebearer, strife subsides.
21 What a bellows is to live coals, what wood is to fire, such is a contentious man in enkindling strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are like dainty morsels that sink into one's inmost being.
23 Like a glazed finish on earthenware are smooth lips with a wicked heart.
24 With his lips an enemy pretends, but in his inmost being he maintains deceit;
25 When he speaks graciously, trust him not, for seven abominations are in his heart.
26 A man may conceal hatred under dissimulation, but his malice will be revealed in the assembly.
27 He who digs a pit falls into it; and a stone comes back upon him who rolls it.
28 The lying tongue is its owner's enemy, and the flattering mouth works ruin.
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.