« | Job 11 | » |
1 And Zophar the Naamathite spoke out and said:
2 Should not the man of many words be answered, or must the garrulous man necessarily be right?
3 Shall your babblings keep men silent, and shall you deride and no one give rebuke?
4 Shall you say: "My teaching is pure, and I am clean in your sight"?
5 But oh, that God would speak, and open his lips against you,
6 And tell you that the secrets of wisdom are twice as effective: So you might learn that God will make you answer for your guilt.
7 Can you penetrate the designs of God? Dare you vie with the perfection of the Almighty?
8 It is higher than the heavens; what can you do? It is deeper than the nether world; what can you know?
9 It is longer than the earth in measure, and broader than the sea.
10 If he seize and imprison or call to judgment, who then can say him nay?
11 For he knows the worthlessness of men and sees iniquity; will he then ignore it?
12 Will empty man then gain understanding, and the wild jackass be made docile?
13 If you set your heart aright and stretch out your hands toward him,
14 If you remove all iniquity from your conduct, and let not injustice dwell in your tent,
15 Surely then you may lift up your face in innocence; you may stand firm and unafraid.
16 For then you shall forget your misery, or recall it like waters that have ebbed away.
17 Then your life shall be brighter than the noonday; its gloom shall become as the morning,
18 And you shall be secure, because there is hope; you shall look round you and lie down in safety,
19 and you shall take your rest with none to disturb. Many shall entreat your favor,
20 but the wicked, looking on, shall be consumed with envy. Escape shall be cut off from them, they shall wait to expire.
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.