« | Job 20 | » |
1 Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
2 "I must reply because I am greatly disturbed.
3 I've had to endure your insults, but now my spirit prompts me to reply.
4 "Don't you realize that from the beginning of time, ever since people were first placed on the earth,
5 the triumph of the wicked has been short-lived and the joy of the godless has been only temporary?
6 Though the pride of the godless reaches to the heavens and their heads touch the clouds,
7 yet they will vanish forever, thrown away like their own dung. Those who knew them will ask, 'Where are they?'
8 They will fade like a dream and not be found. They will vanish like a vision in the night.
9 Those who once saw them will see them no more. Their families will never see them again.
10 Their children will beg from the poor, for they must give back their stolen riches.
11 Though they are young, their bones will lie in the dust.
12 "They enjoyed the sweet taste of wickedness, letting it melt under their tongue.
13 They savored it, holding it long in their mouths.
14 But suddenly the food in their bellies turns sour, a poisonous venom in their stomach.
15 They will vomit the wealth they swallowed. God won't let them keep it down.
16 They will suck the poison of cobras. The viper will kill them.
17 They will never again enjoy streams of olive oil or rivers of milk and honey.
18 They will give back everything they worked for. Their wealth will bring them no joy.
19 For they oppressed the poor and left them destitute. They foreclosed on their homes.
20 They were always greedy and never satisfied. Nothing remains of all the things they dreamed about.
21 Nothing is left after they finish gorging themselves. Therefore, their prosperity will not endure.
22 "In the midst of plenty, they will run into trouble and be overcome by misery.
23 May God give them a bellyful of trouble. May God rain down his anger upon them.
24 When they try to escape an iron weapon, a bronze-tipped arrow will pierce them.
25 The arrow is pulled from their back, and the arrowhead glistens with blood. The terrors of death are upon them.
26 Their treasures will be thrown into deepest darkness. A wildfire will devour their goods, consuming all they have left.
27 The heavens will reveal their guilt, and the earth will testify against them.
28 A flood will sweep away their house. God's anger will descend on them in torrents.
29 This is the reward that God gives the wicked. It is the inheritance decreed by God."
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.