« | Job 18 | » |
1 Then Bildad the Shuhite replied and said:
2 When will you put an end to words? Reflect, and then we can have discussion.
3 Why are we accounted like the beasts, their equals in your sight?
4 You who tear yourself in your anger, shall the earth be neglected on your account (or the rock be moved out of its place)?
5 Truly, the light of the wicked is extinguished; no flame brightens his hearth.
6 The light is darkened in his tent; in spite of him, his lamp goes out.
7 His vigorous steps are hemmed in, and his own counsel casts him down.
8 For he rushes headlong into a net, and he wanders into a pitfall.
9 A trap seizes him by the heel, and a snare lays hold of him.
10 A noose for him is hid on the ground, and the toils for him on the way.
11 On every side terrors affright him; they harry him at each step.
12 Disaster is ready at his side,
13 the first-born of death consumes his limbs.
14 Fiery destruction lodges in his tent, and marches him off to the king of terrors. He is plucked from the security of his tent;
15 over his abode brimstone is scattered.
16 Below, his roots dry up, and above, his branches wither.
17 His memory perishes from the land, and he has no name on the earth.
18 He is driven from light into darkness, and banished out of the world.
19 He has neither son nor grandson among his people, nor any survior where once he dwelt.
20 They who come after shall be appalled at his fate; they who went before are struck with horror.
21 So is it then with the dwelling of the impious man, and such is the place of him who knows not God!
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.