« | Job 13 | » |
1 Lo, all this my eye has seen; my ear has heard and perceived it.
2 What you know, I also know; I fall not short of you.
3 But I would speak with the Almighty; I wish to reason with God.
4 You are glossing over falsehoods and offering vain remedies, every one of you!
5 Oh, that you would be altogether silent! This for you would be wisdom.
6 Hear now the rebuke I shall utter and listen to the reproof from my lips.
7 Is it for God that you speak falsehood? Is it for him that you utter deceit?
8 Is it for him that you show partiality? Do you play advocate on behalf of God?
9 Will it be well when he shall search you out? Would you impose on him as one does on men?
10 He will openly rebuke you if even in secret you show partiality.
11 Surely will his majesty affright you and the dread of him fall upon you.
12 Your reminders are ashy maxims, your fabrications are mounds of clay.
13 Be silent, let me alone! that I may speak and give vent to my feelings.
14 I will carry my flesh between my teeth, and take my life in my hand.
15 Slay me though he might, I will wait for him; I will defend my conduct before him.
16 And this shall be my salvation, that no impious man can come into his presence.
17 Pay careful heed to my speech, and give my statement a hearing.
18 Behold, I have prepared my case, I know that I am in the right.
19 If anyone can make a case against me, then I shall be silent and die.
20 These things only do not use against me, then from your presence I need not hide:
21 Withdraw your hand far from me, and let not the terror of you frighten me.
22 Then call me, and I will respond; or let me speak first, and answer me.
23 What are my faults and my sins? My misdeeds and my sins make known to me!
24 Why do you hide your face and consider me your enemy?
25 Will you harass a wind-driven leaf, or pursue a withered straw?
26 For you draw up bitter indictments against me, and punish in me the faults of my youth.
27 You put my feet in the stocks; you watch all my paths and trace out all my footsteps.
28 Though he wears out like a leather bottle, like a garment that the moth has consumed?
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.