« | Job 3 | » |
1 At last Job spoke, and he cursed the day of his birth.
2 He said:
3 "Let the day of my birth be erased, and the night I was conceived.
4 Let that day be turned to darkness. Let it be lost even to God on high, and let no light shine on it.
5 Let the darkness and utter gloom claim that day for its own. Let a black cloud overshadow it, and let the darkness terrify it.
6 Let that night be blotted off the calendar, never again to be counted among the days of the year, never again to appear among the months.
7 Let that night be childless. Let it have no joy.
8 Let those who are experts at cursing-- whose cursing could rouse Leviathan-- curse that day.
9 Let its morning stars remain dark. Let it hope for light, but in vain; may it never see the morning light.
10 Curse that day for failing to shut my mother's womb, for letting me be born to see all this trouble.
11 "Why wasn't I born dead? Why didn't I die as I came from the womb?
12 Why was I laid on my mother's lap? Why did she nurse me at her breasts?
13 Had I died at birth, I would now be at peace. I would be asleep and at rest.
14 I would rest with the world's kings and prime ministers, whose great buildings now lie in ruins.
15 I would rest with princes, rich in gold, whose palaces were filled with silver.
16 Why wasn't I buried like a stillborn child, like a baby who never lives to see the light?
17 For in death the wicked cause no trouble, and the weary are at rest.
18 Even captives are at ease in death, with no guards to curse them.
19 Rich and poor are both there, and the slave is free from his master.
20 "Oh, why give light to those in misery, and life to those who are bitter?
21 They long for death, and it won't come. They search for death more eagerly than for hidden treasure.
22 They're filled with joy when they finally die, and rejoice when they find the grave.
23 Why is life given to those with no future, those God has surrounded with difficulties?
24 I cannot eat for sighing; my groans pour out like water.
25 What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true.
26 I have no peace, no quietness. I have no rest; only trouble comes."
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.