« | Proverbs 9 | » |
1 Wisdom has built her house, she has set up her seven columns;
2 She has dressed her meat, mixed her wine, yes, she has spread her table.
3 She has sent out her maidens; she calls from the heights out over the city:
4 "Let whoever is simple turn in here; to him who lacks understanding, I say,
5 Come, eat of my food, and drink of the wine I have mixed!
6 Forsake foolishness that you may live; advance in the way of understanding.
7 He who corrects an arrogant man earns insult; and he who reproves a wicked man incurs opprobrium.
8 Reprove not an arrogant man, lest he hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Instruct a wise man, and he becomes still wiser; teach a just man, and he advances in learning.
10 The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied and the years of your life increased."
12 If you are wise, it is to your own advantage; and if you are arrogant, you alone shall bear it.
13 The woman Folly is fickle, she is inane, and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house upon a seat on the city heights,
15 Calling to passers-by as they go on their straight way:
16 "Let whoever is simple turn in here, or who lacks understanding; for to him I say,
17 Stolen water is sweet, and bread gotten secretly is pleasing!"
18 Little he knows that the shades are there, that in the depths of the nether world are her guests!
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.