« | Proverbs 28 | » |
1 The evil man goes running away when no man is after him, but the upright are without fear, like the lion.
2 Because of the sin of the land, its troubles are increased; but by a man of wisdom and knowledge they will be put out like a fire.
3 A man of wealth who is cruel to the poor is like a violent rain causing destruction of food.
4 Those who have no respect for the law give praise to the evil-doer; but such as keep the law are against him.
5 Evil men have no knowledge of what is right; but those who go after the Lord have knowledge of all things.
6 Better is the poor man whose ways are upright, than the man of wealth whose ways are not straight.
7 He who keeps the law is a wise son, but he who keeps company with feasters puts shame on his father.
8 He who makes his wealth greater by taking interest, only gets it together for him who has pity on the poor.
9 As for the man whose ear is turned away from hearing the law, even his prayer is disgusting.
10 Anyone causing the upright to go wandering in an evil way, will himself go down into the hole he has made; but the upright will have good things for their heritage.
11 The man of wealth seems to himself to be wise, but the poor man who has sense has a low opinion of him.
12 When the upright do well, there is great glory; but when evil-doers are lifted up, men do not let themselves be seen.
13 He who keeps his sins secret will not do well; but one who is open about them, and gives them up, will get mercy.
14 Happy is the man in whom is the fear of the Lord at all times; but he whose heart is hard will come into trouble.
15 Like a loud-voiced lion and a wandering bear, is an evil ruler over a poor people.
16 The prince who has no sense is a cruel ruler; but he who has no desire to get profit for himself will have long life.
17 One who has been the cause of a man's death will go in flight to the underworld: let no man give him help.
18 He whose ways are upright will be safe, but sudden will be the fall of him whose ways are twisted.
19 By ploughing his land a man will have bread in full measure; but he who goes after good-for-nothing persons will be poor enough.
20 A man of good faith will have great blessing, but one attempting to get wealth quickly will not go free from punishment.
21 It is not good to have respect for a man's position: for a man will do wrong for a bit of bread.
22 He who is ever desiring wealth goes running after money, and does not see that need will come on him.
23 He who says words of protest to a man will later have more approval than one who says smooth words with his tongue.
24 He who takes from his father or his mother what is theirs by right, and says, It is no sin; is the same as a taker of life.
25 He who is ever desiring profit is a cause of fighting; but he who puts his faith in the Lord will be made fat.
26 He whose faith is in himself is foolish; but everyone walking wisely will be kept safe.
27 He who gives to the poor will never be in need, but great curses will be on him who gives no attention to them.
28 When evil-doers are lifted up, men take cover; but when destruction overtakes them, the upright are increased.
The Bible in Basic English (BBE)
The Bible in Basic English (BBE) is a translation of the Bible that aims to make the scriptures accessible to people with limited English proficiency. Completed in 1941 by Professor Samuel Henry Hooke and a team of scholars, the BBE utilizes a simplified vocabulary of approximately 1,000 basic English words, along with additional words necessary to maintain the integrity of the biblical text. This approach ensures that the translation is easily understandable while still conveying the core messages and teachings of the Bible.
One of the defining features of the BBE is its commitment to simplicity and clarity. By using a restricted vocabulary and straightforward sentence structures, the BBE makes it easier for readers to grasp the fundamental ideas of the scriptures without being hindered by complex language. This makes the BBE particularly valuable for non-native English speakers, children, and individuals with limited literacy skills. The translation aims to break down language barriers, allowing a broader audience to engage with Bible teachings.
Despite its simplified language, the BBE strives to remain faithful to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. The translators worked carefully to ensure that the essential meanings and theological concepts were preserved, even as they adapted the language to be more accessible. This balance of simplicity and fidelity to the original texts helps maintain the Bible’ s depth and spiritual richness while making it more approachable. The BBE’ s emphasis on clarity without sacrificing essential meaning has made it a useful tool for teaching and evangelism.
However, the BBE has faced some criticism, particularly from scholars and theologians who argue that the simplification process may lead to the loss of some nuances and deeper meanings present in the original languages. Some feel that the restricted vocabulary can oversimplify complex theological concepts, potentially limiting the reader’ s understanding of the full depth of the scriptures. Despite these criticisms, the Bible in Basic English remains a valuable resource for those seeking an easily understandable version of the Bible, providing a bridge for many to access the timeless messages contained within the holy scriptures.