Proverbs
Simplified Cowboy Version
I came across the Simplified Cowboy Version by reading posts on Facebook from the "Save the Cowboy" organization, which is an outreach to working cowboys and others from that environment. I bought the book of Proverbs in the SCV for one of my sons for Christmas, and then got one for myself a few months later.
It's written by Kevin Weatherby and published by Save the Cowboy. Copyright 2014.
The Simplified Cowboy Version is definitely a paraphrase and isn't meant to replace the reading of proper translations of the Bible. On the Acknowledgments page it says:
The Simplified Cowboy Version is not a bible. It was never intended to be a bible, nor should it be thought of as such. The SCV is a bible paraphrase intended to merely catch a glimpse of the bible's deep wisdom, and most importantly, to see Jesus Christ, though the eyes of a working ranch cowboy.
We hope that this book will encourage the reading for the real word of God.
Here are a few verses and passages to give you some of the flavor of the book:
Proverbs 1:7, 8, 9
Respect the Lord and do what he says. This is the key to understandin'. Only an idiot will turn away from wisdom and discipline.
Listen up my son to what your daddy has to say. Don't turn your back on what your momma has taught ya. Wear what you've learned from them as proudly as you'd wear a custom cowboy hat or a pair of handmade boots.
Proverbs 5: 15 - 18
Don't try to taste the water from another man's well. In other words, don't jack [cheat - KB] with another man's jenny. Having kids by women other than your wife ain't nothin' to be proud of and will do you no good. Your kids should grow up in your house so they can help you on your ranch, not your neighbor's spread.
Be happy with your wife and don't ever stop lookin' at her the way you first did.
Proverbs 13:13
If you don't listen to God, don't be surprised when you pay a high price. Pay attention to his word and you'll get a double reward.
Proverbs 14: 17, 21, 23
A hot temper is like a neon sign for foolish living. Nobody wants to ride with a fool like that.
It ain't right to hate other people, but there's a handsome reward for those that are nice to the poor.
Ride with those that have calloused hands, because smooth hands and empty words are the paths that lead to struggles.
I enjoy reading this because of the way the author puts things - it's a very "down-homey" type of read. Some of the turns of phrase are humorous. The author does put things in ways that cowboys would actually use, so some words might seem a bit earthy for some readers. Nothing really strong, and nothing that farmers, ranchers, cowboys, and general country people would find too much, I think, but city folk might be a little taken aback.
I find this book helpful because it makes me stop and think about each of the proverbs as opposed to just reading them through. They are different to the other versions of Proverbs that I read, and that slows me down, often as I visualize the picture presented, which aids in my thinking about them.
The SCV is also available in Matthew and Romans, and will soon be available in the epistle of James as well.
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