« | Job 31 | » |
1 "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman.
2 For what has God above chosen for us? What is our inheritance from the Almighty on high?
3 Isn't it calamity for the wicked and misfortune for those who do evil?
4 Doesn't he see everything I do and every step I take?
5 "Have I lied to anyone or deceived anyone?
6 Let God weigh me on the scales of justice, for he knows my integrity.
7 If I have strayed from his pathway, or if my heart has lusted for what my eyes have seen, or if I am guilty of any other sin,
8 then let someone else eat the crops I have planted. Let all that I have planted be uprooted.
9 "If my heart has been seduced by a woman, or if I have lusted for my neighbor's wife,
10 then let my wife belong to another man; let other men sleep with her.
11 For lust is a shameful sin, a crime that should be punished.
12 It is a fire that burns all the way to hell. It would wipe out everything I own.
13 "If I have been unfair to my male or female servants when they brought their complaints to me,
14 how could I face God? What could I say when he questioned me?
15 For God created both me and my servants. He created us both in the womb.
16 "Have I refused to help the poor, or crushed the hopes of widows?
17 Have I been stingy with my food and refused to share it with orphans?
18 No, from childhood I have cared for orphans like a father, and all my life I have cared for widows.
19 Whenever I saw the homeless without clothes and the needy with nothing to wear,
20 did they not praise me for providing wool clothing to keep them warm?
21 "If I raised my hand against an orphan, knowing the judges would take my side,
22 then let my shoulder be wrenched out of place! Let my arm be torn from its socket!
23 That would be better than facing God's judgment. For if the majesty of God opposes me, what hope is there?
24 "Have I put my trust in money or felt secure because of my gold?
25 Have I gloated about my wealth and all that I own?
26 "Have I looked at the sun shining in the skies, or the moon walking down its silver pathway,
27 and been secretly enticed in my heart to throw kisses at them in worship?
28 If so, I should be punished by the judges, for it would mean I had denied the God of heaven.
29 "Have I ever rejoiced when disaster struck my enemies, or become excited when harm came their way?
30 No, I have never sinned by cursing anyone or by asking for revenge.
31 "My servants have never said, 'He let others go hungry.'
32 I have never turned away a stranger but have opened my doors to everyone.
33 "Have I tried to hide my sins like other people do, concealing my guilt in my heart?
34 Have I feared the crowd or the contempt of the masses, so that I kept quiet and stayed indoors?
35 "If only someone would listen to me! Look, I will sign my name to my defense. Let the Almighty answer me. Let my accuser write out the charges against me.
36 I would face the accusation proudly. I would wear it like a crown.
37 For I would tell him exactly what I have done. I would come before him like a prince.
38 "If my land accuses me and all its furrows cry out together,
39 or if I have stolen its crops or murdered its owners,
40 then let thistles grow on that land instead of wheat, and weeds instead of barley." Job's words are ended.
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.