« | Proverbs 4 | » |
1 Hear, O children, a father's instruction, be attentive, that you may gain understanding!
2 Yes, excellent advice I give you; my teaching do not forsake.
3 When I was my father's child, frail, yet the darling of my mother,
4 He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart hold fast my words: keep my commands, that you may live!
5 "Get wisdom, get understanding! Do not forget or turn aside from the words I utter.
6 Forsake her not, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will safeguard you;
7 The beginning of wisdom is: get wisdom; at the cost of all you have, get understanding.
8 Extol her, and she will exalt you; she will bring you honors if you embrace her;
9 She will put on your head a graceful diadem; a glorious crown will she bestow on you."
10 Hear, my son, and receive my words, and the years of your life shall be many.
11 On the way of wisdom I direct you, I lead you on straightforward paths.
12 When you walk, your step will not be impeded, and should you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold fast to instruction, never let her go; keep her, for she is your life.
14 The path of the wicked enter not, walk not on the way of evil men;
15 Shun it, cross it not, turn aside from it, and pass on.
16 For they cannot rest unless they have done evil; to have made no one stumble steals away their sleep.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the just is like shining light, that grows in brilliance till perfect day.
19 The way of the wicked is like darkness; they know not on what they stumble.
20 My son, to my words be attentive, to my sayings incline your ear;
21 Let them not slip out of your sight, keep them within your heart;
22 For they are life to those who find them, to man's whole being they are health.
23 With closest custody, guard your heart, for in it are the sources of life.
24 Put away from you dishonest talk, deceitful speech put far from you.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead and your glance be directly forward.
26 Survey the path for your feet, and let all your ways be sure.
27 Turn neither to right nor to left, keep your foot far from evil.
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.