« | Deuteronomy 27 | » |
1 Then Moses, with the elders of Israel, gave the people this order: "Keep all these commandments which I enjoin on you today.
2 On the day you cross the Jordan into the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you, set up some large stones and coat them with plaster.
3 Also write on them, at the time you cross, all the words of this law, that you may thus enter into the land flowing with milk and honey, which the LORD, your God, and the God of your fathers, is giving you as he promised you.
4 When, moreover, you have crossed the Jordan, besides setting up on Mount Ebal these stones concerning which I command you today, and coating them with plaster,
5 you shall also build to the LORD, your God, an altar made of stones that no iron tool has touched.
6 You shall make this altar of the LORD, your God, with undressed stones, and shall offer on it holocausts to the LORD, your God.
7 You shall also sacrifice peace offerings and eat them there, making merry before the LORD, your God.
8 On the stones you shall inscribe all the words of this law very clearly."
9 Moses, with the levitical priests, then said to all Israel: "Be silent, O Israel, and listen! This day you have become the people of the LORD, your God.
10 You shall therefore hearken to the voice of the LORD, your God, and keep his commandments and statutes which I enjoin on you today."
11 That same day Moses gave the people this order:
12 "When you cross the Jordan, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph and Benjamin shall stand on Mount Gerizim to pronounce blessings over the people,
13 while Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali shall stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses.
14 "The Levites shall proclaim aloud to all the men of Israel:
15 'Cursed be the man who makes a carved or molten idol-- an abomination to the LORD, the product of a craftsman's hands-- and sets it up in secret!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!'
16 'Cursed be he who dishonors his father or his mother!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!'
17 'Cursed be he who moves his neighbor's landmarks!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!'
18 'Cursed be he who misleads a blind man on his way!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!'
19 'Cursed be he who violates the rights of the alien, the orphan or the widow!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!'
20 'Cursed be he who has relations with his father's wife, for he dishonors his father's bed!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!'
21 'Cursed be he who has relations with any animal!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!'
22 'Cursed be he who has relations with his sister or his half-sister!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!'
23 'Cursed be he who has relations with his mother-in-law!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!'
24 'Cursed be he who slays his neighbor in secret!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!'
25 'Cursed be he who accepts payment for slaying an innocent man!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!'
26 'Cursed be he who fails to fulfill any of the provisions of this law!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!'
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.