« | Job 31 | » |
1 If I have made an agreement with my eyes and entertained any thoughts against a maiden;
2 But what is man's lot from God above, his inheritance from the Almighty on high?
3 Is it not calamity for the unrighteous, and woe for evildoers?
4 Does he not see my ways, and number all my steps?
5 If I have walked in falsehood and my foot has hastened to deceit;
6 Let God weigh me in the scales of justice; thus will he know my innocence!
7 If my steps have turned out of the way, and my heart has followed my eyes, or any stain clings to my hands,
8 Then may I sow, but another eat of it, or may my planting be rooted up!
9 If my heart has been enticed toward a woman, and I have lain in wait at my neighbor's door;
10 Then may my wife grind for another, and may others cohabit with her!
11 For that would be heinous, a crime to be condemned;
12 A fire that should burn down to the abyss till it consumed all my possessions to the roots.
13 Had I refused justice to my manservant or to my maid, when they had a claim against me,
14 What then should I do when God rose up; what could I answer when he demanded an account?
15 Did not he who made me in the womb make him? Did not the same One fashion us before our birth?
16 If I have denied anything to the poor, or allowed the eyes of the widow to languish
17 While I ate my portion alone, with no share in it for the fatherless,
18 Though like a father God has reared me from my youth, guiding me even from my mother's womb--
19 If I have seen a wanderer without clothing, or a poor man without covering,
20 Whose limbs have not blessed me when warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
21 If I have raised my hand against the innocent because I saw that I had supporters at the gate--
22 Then may my arm fall from the shoulder, my forearm be broken at the elbow!
23 For the dread of God will be upon me, and his majesty will overpower me.
24 Had I put my trust in gold or called fine gold my security;
25 Or had I rejoiced that my wealth was great, or that my hand had acquired abundance--
26 Had I looked upon the sun as it shone, or the moon in the splendor of its progress,
27 And had my heart been secretly enticed to waft them a kiss with my hand;
28 This too would be a crime for condemnation, for I should have denied God above.
29 Had I rejoiced at the destruction of my enemy or exulted when evil fell upon him,
30 Even though I had not suffered my mouth to sin by uttering a curse against his life--
31 Had not the men of my tent exclaimed, "Who has not been fed with his meat!"
32 Because no stranger lodged in the street, but I opened my door to wayfarers--
33 Had I, out of human weakness, hidden my sins and buried my guilt in my bosom
34 Because I feared the noisy multitude and the scorn of the tribes terrified me- then I should have remained silent, and not come out of doors!
35 Oh, that I had one to hear my case, and that my accuser would write out his indictment!
36 Surely, I should wear it on my shoulder or put it on me like a diadem;
37 Of all my steps I should give him an account; like a prince I should present myself before him. This is my final plea; let the Almighty answer me! The words of Job are ended.
38 If my land has cried out against me till its very furrows complained;
39 If I have eaten its produce without payment and grieved the hearts of its tenants;
40 Then let the thistles grow instead of wheat and noxious weeds instead of barley!
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.