« | Job 19 | » |
1 Then Job spoke again:
2 "How long will you torture me? How long will you try to crush me with your words?
3 You have already insulted me ten times. You should be ashamed of treating me so badly.
4 Even if I have sinned, that is my concern, not yours.
5 You think you're better than I am, using my humiliation as evidence of my sin.
6 But it is God who has wronged me, capturing me in his net.
7 "I cry out, 'Help!' but no one answers me. I protest, but there is no justice.
8 God has blocked my way so I cannot move. He has plunged my path into darkness.
9 He has stripped me of my honor and removed the crown from my head.
10 He has demolished me on every side, and I am finished. He has uprooted my hope like a fallen tree.
11 His fury burns against me; he counts me as an enemy.
12 His troops advance. They build up roads to attack me. They camp all around my tent.
13 "My relatives stay far away, and my friends have turned against me.
14 My family is gone, and my close friends have forgotten me.
15 My servants and maids consider me a stranger. I am like a foreigner to them.
16 When I call my servant, he doesn't come; I have to plead with him!
17 My breath is repulsive to my wife. I am rejected by my own family.
18 Even young children despise me. When I stand to speak, they turn their backs on me.
19 My close friends detest me. Those I loved have turned against me.
20 I have been reduced to skin and bones and have escaped death by the skin of my teeth.
21 "Have mercy on me, my friends, have mercy, for the hand of God has struck me.
22 Must you also persecute me, like God does? Haven't you chewed me up enough?
23 "Oh, that my words could be recorded. Oh, that they could be inscribed on a monument,
24 carved with an iron chisel and filled with lead, engraved forever in the rock.
25 "But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.
26 And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!
27 I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!
28 "How dare you go on persecuting me, saying, 'It's his own fault'?
29 You should fear punishment yourselves, for your attitude deserves punishment. Then you will know that there is indeed a judgment."
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.