« | Job 20 | » |
1 Then Zophar the Naamathite spoke and said:
2 and because of this I am disturbed. So now my thoughts provide me with an answer, and from my understanding a spirit gives me a reply.
3 A rebuke which puts me to shame I hear,
4 Do you not know this from olden time, since man was placed upon the earth,
5 That the triumph of the wicked is short and the joy of the impious but for a moment?
6 Though his pride mount up to the heavens and his head reach to the clouds,
7 Yet he perishes forever like the fuel of his fire, and the onlookers say, "Where is he?"
8 Like a dream he takes flight and is not found again; he fades away like a vision of the night.
9 The eye which saw him does so no more; nor shall his dwelling again behold him.
10 and his hands shall yield up his riches.
11 Though his frame is full of youthful vigor, this shall lie with him in the dust.
12 Though wickedness is sweet in his mouth, and he hides it under his tongue,
13 Though he retains it and will not let it go but keeps it still within his mouth,
14 Yet in his stomach the food shall turn; it shall be venom of asps inside him.
15 The riches he swallowed he shall disgorge; God shall compel his belly to disown them.
16 The poison of asps he shall drink in; the viper's fangs shall slay him.
17 He shall see no streams of oil, no torrents of honey or milk.
18 Restoring his gains, he shall not enjoy them; though his wealth increases, he shall not rejoice.
19 Because he has oppressed the poor, and stolen a patrimony he had not built up,
20 Though he has known no quiet in his greed, his treasures shall not save him.
21 Therefore his prosperity shall not endure,
22 When he abounds to overflowing, he shall be brought into straits, and nought shall be left of his goods.
23 God shall send against him the fury of his wrath and rain down his missiles of war upon him.
24 Should he escape the iron weapon, the bow of bronze shall pierce him through;
25 The dart shall come out of his back; terrors shall fall upon him.
26 Complete darkness is in store for him; the fire which shall consume him needs not to be fanned.
27 The heavens shall reveal his guilt, and the earth shall rise up against him.
28 The flood shall sweep away his house with the waters that run off in the day of God's anger.
29 This is the portion of a wicked man, and the heritage appointed him by 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.