« | Job 21 | » |
1 Then Job said in reply:
2 At least listen to my words, and let that be the consolation you offer.
3 Bear with me while I speak; and after I have spoken, you can mock!
4 Is my complaint toward man? And why should I not be impatient?
5 Look at me and be astonished, put your hands over your mouths.
6 When I think of it, I am dismayed, and horror takes hold on my flesh.
7 Why do the wicked survive, grow old, become mighty in power?
8 Their progeny is secure in their sight; they see before them their kinsfolk and their offspring.
9 Their homes are safe and without fear, nor is the scourge of God upon them.
10 Their bulls gender without fail; their cows calve and do not miscarry.
11 These folk have infants numerous as lambs, and their children dance.
12 They sing to the timbrel and harp, and make merry to the sound of the flute.
13 They live out their days in prosperity, and tranquilly go down to the nether world.
14 Yet they say to God, "Depart from us, for we have no wish to learn your ways!
15 What is the Almighty that we should serve him? And what gain shall we have if we pray to him?"
16 If their happiness is not in their own hands and if the counsel of the wicked is repulsive to God,
17 How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? How often does destruction come upon them, the portion he allots in his anger?
18 Let them be like straw before the wind, and like chaff which the storm snatches away!
19 May God not store up the man's misery for his children; let him requite the man himself so that he feels it,
20 Let his own eyes see the calamity, and the wrath of the Almighty let him drink!
21 For what interest has he in his family after him, when the number of his months is finished?
22 Can anyone teach God knowledge, seeing that he judges those on high?
23 One dies in his full vigor, wholly at ease and content;
24 His figure is full and nourished, and his bones are rich in marrow.
25 Another dies in bitterness of soul, having never tasted happiness.
26 Alike they lie down in the dust, and worms cover them both.
27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the arguments you rehearse against me.
28 For you say, "Where is the house of the magnate, and where the dwelling place of the wicked?"
29 Have you not asked the wayfarers and do you not recognize their monuments?
30 Nay, the evil man is spared calamity when it comes;
31 Who will charge him with his conduct to his face, and for what he has done who will repay him?
32 and on the day he is carried to the grave
33 Sweet to him are the clods of the valley, and over him the funeral mound keeps watch, While all the line of mankind follows him, and the countless others who have gone before.
34 How then can you offer me vain comfort, while in your answers perfidy remains?
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.