« | Job 22 | » |
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:
2 "Can a person do anything to help God? Can even a wise person be helpful to him?
3 Is it any advantage to the Almighty if you are righteous? Would it be any gain to him if you were perfect?
4 Is it because you're so pious that he accuses you and brings judgment against you?
5 No, it's because of your wickedness! There's no limit to your sins.
6 "For example, you must have lent money to your friend and demanded clothing as security. Yes, you stripped him to the bone.
7 You must have refused water for the thirsty and food for the hungry.
8 You probably think the land belongs to the powerful and only the privileged have a right to it!
9 You must have sent widows away empty-handed and crushed the hopes of orphans.
10 That is why you are surrounded by traps and tremble from sudden fears.
11 That is why you cannot see in the darkness, and waves of water cover you.
12 "God is so great-- higher than the heavens, higher than the farthest stars.
13 But you reply, 'That's why God can't see what I am doing! How can he judge through the thick darkness?
14 For thick clouds swirl about him, and he cannot see us. He is way up there, walking on the vault of heaven.'
15 "Will you continue on the old paths where evil people have walked?
16 They were snatched away in the prime of life, the foundations of their lives washed away.
17 For they said to God, 'Leave us alone! What can the Almighty do to us?'
18 Yet he was the one who filled their homes with good things, so I will have nothing to do with that kind of thinking.
19 "The righteous will be happy to see the wicked destroyed, and the innocent will laugh in contempt.
20 They will say, 'See how our enemies have been destroyed. The last of them have been consumed in the fire.'
21 "Submit to God, and you will have peace; then things will go well for you.
22 Listen to his instructions, and store them in your heart.
23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored-- so clean up your life.
24 If you give up your lust for money and throw your precious gold into the river,
25 the Almighty himself will be your treasure. He will be your precious silver!
26 "Then you will take delight in the Almighty and look up to God.
27 You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows to him.
28 You will succeed in whatever you choose to do, and light will shine on the road ahead of you.
29 If people are in trouble and you say, 'Help them,' God will save them.
30 Even sinners will be rescued; they will be rescued because your hands are pure."
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.