« | Job 16 | » |
1 Then Job answered and said:
2 I have heard this sort of thing many times. Wearisome comforters are you all!
3 Is there no end to windy words? Or what sickness have you that you speak on?
4 I also could talk as you do, were you in my place. I could declaim over you, or wag my head at you;
5 I could strengthen you with talk, or shake my head with silent lips.
6 If I speak, this pain I have will not be checked; if I leave off, it will not depart from me.
7 But now that I am exhausted and stunned, all my company has closed in on me.
8 As a witness there rises up my traducer, speaking openly against me;
9 I am the prey his wrath assails, he gnashes his teeth against me. My enemies lord it over me;
10 their mouths are agape to bite me. They smite me on the cheek insultingly; they are all enlisted against me.
11 God has given me over to the impious; into the clutches of the wicked he has cast me.
12 I was in peace, but he dislodged me; he seized me by the neck and dashed me to pieces. He has set me up for a target;
13 his arrows strike me from all directions, He pierces my sides without mercy, he pours out my gall upon the ground.
14 He pierces me with thrust upon thrust; he attacks me like a warrior.
15 I have fastened sackcloth over my skin, and have laid my brow in the dust.
16 My face is inflamed with weeping and there is darkness over my eyes,
17 Although my hands are free from violence, and my prayer is sincere.
18 O earth, cover not my blood, nor let my outcry come to rest!
19 Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my spokesman is on high.
20 My friends it is who wrong me; before God my eyes drop tears,
21 That he may do justice for a mortal in his presence and decide between a man and his neighbor.
22 For my years are numbered now, and I am on a journey from which I shall not return.
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.