« | Proverbs 29 | » |
1 A man hating sharp words and making his heart hard, will suddenly be broken and will not be made well again.
2 When the upright have power, the people are glad; when an evil man is ruler, grief comes on the people.
3 A man who is a lover of wisdom is a joy to his father: but he who goes in the company of loose women is a waster of wealth.
4 A king, by right rule, makes the land safe; but one full of desires makes it a waste.
5 A man who says smooth things to his neighbour is stretching out a net for his steps.
6 In the steps of an evil man there is a net for him, but the upright man gets away quickly and is glad.
7 The upright man gives attention to the cause of the poor: the evil-doer gives no thought to it.
8 Men of pride are the cause of violent acts in a town, but by wise men wrath is turned away.
9 If a wise man goes to law with a foolish man, he may be angry or laughing, but there will be no rest.
10 Men of blood are haters of the good man, and evil-doers go after his soul.
11 A foolish man lets out all his wrath, but a wise man keeps it back quietly.
12 If a ruler gives attention to false words, all his servants are evil-doers.
13 The poor man and his creditor come face to face: the Lord gives light to their eyes equally.
14 The king who is a true judge in the cause of the poor, will be safe for ever on the seat of his power.
15 The rod and sharp words give wisdom: but a child who is not guided is a cause of shame to his mother.
16 When evil men are in power, wrongdoing is increased; but the upright will have pleasure when they see their downfall.
17 Give your son training, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your soul.
18 Where there is no vision, the people are uncontrolled; but he who keeps the law will be happy.
19 A servant will not be trained by words; for though the sense of the words is clear to him, he will not give attention.
20 Have you seen a man who is quick with his tongue? There is more hope for a foolish man than for him.
21 If a servant is gently cared for from his early years, he will become a cause of sorrow in the end.
22 An angry man is the cause of fighting, and a man given to wrath does much wrong.
23 A man's pride will be the cause of his fall, but he who has a gentle spirit will get honour.
24 A man who takes part with a thief has hate for his soul; he is put under oath, but says nothing.
25 The fear of man is a cause of danger: but whoever puts his faith in the Lord will have a safe place on high.
26 The approval of a ruler is desired by great numbers: but the decision in a man's cause comes from the Lord.
27 An evil man is disgusting to the upright, and he who is upright is disgusting to evil-doers.
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.