« | Job 12 | » |
1 Then Job spoke again:
2 "You people really know everything, don't you? And when you die, wisdom will die with you!
3 Well, I know a few things myself-- and you're no better than I am. Who doesn't know these things you've been saying?
4 Yet my friends laugh at me, for I call on God and expect an answer. I am a just and blameless man, yet they laugh at me.
5 People who are at ease mock those in trouble. They give a push to people who are stumbling.
6 But robbers are left in peace, and those who provoke God live in safety-- though God keeps them in his power.
7 "Just ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you.
8 Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you. Let the fish in the sea speak to you.
9 For they all know that my disaster has come from the hand of the LORD.
10 For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being.
11 The ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.
12 Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old.
13 "But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his.
14 What he destroys cannot be rebuilt. When he puts someone in prison, there is no escape.
15 If he holds back the rain, the earth becomes a desert. If he releases the waters, they flood the earth.
16 Yes, strength and wisdom are his; deceivers and deceived are both in his power.
17 He leads counselors away, stripped of good judgment; wise judges become fools.
18 He removes the royal robe of kings. They are led away with ropes around their waist.
19 He leads priests away, stripped of status; he overthrows those with long years in power.
20 He silences the trusted adviser and removes the insight of the elders.
21 He pours disgrace upon princes and disarms the strong.
22 "He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness; he brings light to the deepest gloom.
23 He builds up nations, and he destroys them. He expands nations, and he abandons them.
24 He strips kings of understanding and leaves them wandering in a pathless wasteland.
25 They grope in the darkness without a light. He makes them stagger like drunkards.
The New Living Translation (NLT)
The New Living Translation (NLT) is a modern English translation of the Bible that aims to make the Scriptures accessible and engaging for contemporary readers. First published in 1996 by Tyndale House Publishers, the NLT was conceived as an effort to create a translation that combines both accuracy and readability. Unlike many other translations that focus on a word-for-word rendering of the original texts, the NLT employs a thought-for-thought translation philosophy, also known as dynamic equivalence. This approach prioritizes conveying the meaning and message of the original texts in a way that is natural and understandable in modern English.
One of the defining features of the NLT is its commitment to clarity and simplicity. The translators, a team of over 90 evangelical scholars, aimed to create a text that would be approachable for a wide audience, including those who may find traditional translations challenging to read. The NLT’s language is contemporary and conversational, making it particularly effective for public reading, teaching, and personal study. This emphasis on readability helps ensure that the profound messages of the Bible are easily grasped and retained by readers from various backgrounds and levels of biblical knowledge.
The NLT also incorporates a rich array of study aids designed to enhance the reader’s understanding of the biblical text. These include book introductions, footnotes, cross-references, and explanatory notes that provide historical, cultural, and theological context. These features are particularly useful for readers who seek a deeper comprehension of the Scriptures and their application to modern life. The translation also includes clear and concise headings that help guide readers through the narrative and thematic structure of each book, making it easier to follow and comprehend the overall message.
Despite its many strengths, the New Living Translation has faced some criticism, particularly from those who favor more literal translations. Critics argue that the dynamic equivalence approach, while making the text more readable, can sometimes result in a loss of the precise nuances and literary qualities of the original languages. Some scholars believe that certain theological concepts might be oversimplified in the process of making the text more accessible. Nevertheless, the NLT remains one of the most popular and widely used translations today, valued for its readability, clarity, and ability to convey the timeless truths of the Bible in a way that resonates with contemporary readers.