« | Colossians 4 |
1 Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, realizing that you too have a Master in heaven.
2 Persevere in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving;
3 at the same time, pray for us, too, that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak of the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison,
4 that I may make it clear, as I must speak.
5 Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.
6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you know how you should respond to each one.
7 Tychicus, my beloved brother, trustworthy minister, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news of me.
8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us and that he may encourage your hearts,
9 together with Onesimus, a trustworthy and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions; if he comes to you, receive him),
11 and Jesus, who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision; these alone are my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras sends you greetings; he is one of you, a slave of Christ (Jesus), always striving for you in his prayers so that you may be perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.
13 For I can testify that he works very hard for you and for those in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis.
14 Luke the beloved physician sends greetings, as does Demas.
15 Give greetings to the brothers in Laodicea and to Nympha and to the church in her house.
16 And when this letter is read before you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and you yourselves read the one from Laodicea.
17 And tell Archippus, "See that you fulfill the ministry that you received in the Lord."
18 The greeting is in my own hand, Paul's. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
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.