« | Job 19 | » |
1 Then Job answered and said:
2 How long will you vex my soul, grind me down with words?
3 These ten times you have reviled me, have assailed me without shame!
4 Be it indeed that I am at fault and that my fault remains with me,
5 Even so, if you would vaunt yourselves against me and cast up to me any reproach,
6 Know then that God has dealt unfairly with me, and compassed me round with his net.
7 If I cry out "Injustice!" I am not heard. I cry for help, but there is no redress.
8 He has barred my way and I cannot pass; he has veiled my path in darkness;
9 He has stripped me of my glory, and taken the diadem from my brow.
10 He breaks me down on every side, and I am gone; my hope he has uprooted like a tree.
11 His wrath he has kindled against me; he counts me among his enemies.
12 His troops advance as one man; they build up their road to attack me, and they encamp around my tent.
13 My brethren have withdrawn from me, and my friends are wholly estranged.
14 My kinsfolk and companions neglect me, and my guests have forgotten me.
15 Even my handmaids treat me as a stranger; I am an alien in their sight.
16 I call my servant, but he gives no answer, though in my speech I plead with him.
17 My breath is abhorred by my wife; I am loathsome to the men of my family.
18 The young children, too, despise me; when I appear, they speak against me.
19 All my intimate friends hold me in horror; those whom I loved have turned against me!
20 My bones cleave to my skin, and I have escaped with my flesh between my teeth.
21 Pity me, pity me, O you my friends, for the hand of God has struck me!
22 Why do you hound me as though you were divine, and insatiably prey upon me?
23 Oh, would that my words were written down! Would that they were inscribed in a record:
24 That with an iron chisel and with lead they were cut in the rock forever!
25 But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives, and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust;
26 And from my flesh I shall see God; my inmost being is consumed with longing.
27 Whom I myself shall see: my own eyes, not another's, shall behold him,
28 But you who say, "How shall we persecute him, seeing that the root of the matter is found in him?"
29 Be afraid of the sword for yourselves, for these crimes deserve the sword; that you may know that there is a judgment.
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.