« | Job 23 | » |
1 Again Job answered and said:
2 Though I know my complaint is bitter, his hand is heavy upon me in my groanings.
3 Oh, that today I might find him, that I might come to his judgment seat!
4 I would set out my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments;
5 I would learn the words with which he would answer, and understand what he would reply to me.
6 Even should he contend against me with his great power, yet, would that he himself might heed me!
7 There the upright man might reason with him, and I should once and for all preserve my rights.
8 But if I go to the east, he is not there; or to the west, I cannot perceive him;
9 Where the north enfolds him, I behold him not; by the south he is veiled, and I see him not.
10 Yet he knows my way; if he proved me, I should come forth as gold.
11 My foot has always walked in his steps; his way I have kept and have not turned aside.
12 From the commands of his lips I have not departed; the words of his mouth I have treasured in my heart.
13 But he had decided, and who can say him nay? What he desires, that he does.
14 For he will carry out what is appointed for me; and many such things may yet be in his mind.
15 Therefore am I dismayed before him; when I take thought, I fear him.
16 Indeed God has made my courage fail; the Almighty has put me in dismay.
17 Yes, would that I had vanished in darkness, and that thick gloom were before me to conceal me.
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.