« | Proverbs 9 | » |
1 Wisdom has made her house, putting up her seven pillars.
2 She has put her fat beasts to death; her wine is mixed, her table is ready.
3 She has sent out her women-servants; her voice goes out to the highest places of the town, saying,
4 Whoever is simple, let him come in here; and to him who has no sense, she says:
5 Come, take of my bread, and of my wine which is mixed.
6 Give up the simple ones and have life, and go in the way of knowledge.
7 He who gives teaching to a man of pride gets shame for himself; he who says sharp words to a sinner gets a bad name.
8 Do not say sharp words to a man of pride, or he will have hate for you; make them clear to a wise man, and you will be dear to him.
9 Give teaching to a wise man, and he will become wiser; give training to an upright man, and his learning will be increased.
10 The fear of the Lord is the start of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One gives a wise mind
11 For by me your days will be increased, and the years of your life will be long.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if your heart is full of pride, you only will have the pain of it.
13 The foolish woman is full of noise; she has no sense at all.
14 Seated at the door of her house, in the high places of the town,
15 Crying out to those who go by, going straight on their way, she says:
16 Whoever is simple, let him come in here: and to him who is without sense, she says:
17 Drink taken without right is sweet, and food in secret is pleasing.
18 But he does not see that the dead are there, that her guests are in the deep places of the underworld.
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.