« | Proverbs 6 | » |
1 My son, if you have made yourself responsible for your neighbour, or given your word for another,
2 You are taken as in a net by the words of your mouth, the sayings of your lips have overcome you.
3 Do this, my son, and make yourself free, because you have come into the power of your neighbour; go without waiting, and make a strong request to your neighbour.
4 Give no sleep to your eyes, or rest to them;
5 Make yourself free, like the roe from the hand of the archer, and the bird from him who puts a net for her.
6 Go to the ant, you hater of work; give thought to her ways and be wise:
7 Having no chief, overseer, or ruler,
8 She gets her meat in the summer, storing up food at the time of the grain-cutting.
9 How long will you be sleeping, O hater of work? when will you get up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little rest, a little folding of the hands in sleep:
11 Then loss will come on you like an outlaw, and your need like an armed man
12 A good-for-nothing man is an evil-doer; he goes on his way causing trouble with false words;
13 Making signs with his eyes, rubbing with his feet, and giving news with his fingers;
14 His mind is ever designing evil: he lets loose violent acts.
15 For this cause his downfall will be sudden; quickly he will be broken, and there will be no help for him.
16 Six things are hated by the Lord; seven things are disgusting to him:
17 Eyes of pride, a false tongue, hands which take life without cause;
18 A heart full of evil designs, feet which are quick in running after sin;
19 A false witness, breathing out untrue words, and one who lets loose violent acts among brothers.
20 My son, keep the rule of your father, and have in memory the teaching of your mother:
21 Keep them ever folded in your heart, and have them hanging round your neck.
22 In your walking, it will be your guide; when you are sleeping, it will keep watch over you; when you are awake, it will have talk with you.
23 For the rule is a light, and the teaching a shining light; and the guiding words of training are the way of life.
24 They will keep you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the strange woman.
25 Let not your heart's desire go after her fair body; let not her eyes take you prisoner.
26 For a loose woman is looking for a cake of bread, but another man's wife goes after one's very life.
27 May a man take fire to his breast without burning his clothing?
28 Or may one go on lighted coals, and his feet not be burned?
29 So it is with him who goes in to his neighbour's wife; he who has anything to do with her will not go free from punishment.
30 Men do not have a low opinion of a thief who takes food when he is in need of it:
31 But if he is taken in the act he will have to give back seven times as much, giving up all his property which is in his house.
32 He who takes another man's wife is without all sense: he who does it is the cause of destruction to his soul.
33 Wounds will be his and loss of honour, and his shame may not be washed away.
34 For bitter is the wrath of an angry husband; in the day of punishment he will have no mercy.
35 He will not take any payment; and he will not make peace with you though your money offerings 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.