« | Job 16 | » |
1 Then Job spoke again:
2 "I have heard all this before. What miserable comforters you are!
3 Won't you ever stop blowing hot air? What makes you keep on talking?
4 I could say the same things if you were in my place. I could spout off criticism and shake my head at you.
5 But if it were me, I would encourage you. I would try to take away your grief.
6 Instead, I suffer if I defend myself, and I suffer no less if I refuse to speak.
7 "O God, you have ground me down and devastated my family.
8 As if to prove I have sinned, you've reduced me to skin and bones. My gaunt flesh testifies against me.
9 God hates me and angrily tears me apart. He snaps his teeth at me and pierces me with his eyes.
10 People jeer and laugh at me. They slap my cheek in contempt. A mob gathers against me.
11 God has handed me over to sinners. He has tossed me into the hands of the wicked.
12 "I was living quietly until he shattered me. He took me by the neck and broke me in pieces. Then he set me up as his target,
13 and now his archers surround me. His arrows pierce me without mercy. The ground is wet with my blood.
14 Again and again he smashes against me, charging at me like a warrior.
15 I wear burlap to show my grief. My pride lies in the dust.
16 My eyes are red with weeping; dark shadows circle my eyes.
17 Yet I have done no wrong, and my prayer is pure.
18 "O earth, do not conceal my blood. Let it cry out on my behalf.
19 Even now my witness is in heaven. My advocate is there on high.
20 My friends scorn me, but I pour out my tears to God.
21 I need someone to mediate between God and me, as a person mediates between friends.
22 For soon I must go down that road from which I will never return.
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.