« | Job 34 | » |
1 Then Elihu said:
2 "Listen to me, you wise men. Pay attention, you who have knowledge.
3 Job said, 'The ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.'
4 So let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
5 For Job also said, 'I am innocent, but God has taken away my rights.
6 I am innocent, but they call me a liar. My suffering is incurable, though I have not sinned.'
7 "Tell me, has there ever been a man like Job, with his thirst for irreverent talk?
8 He chooses evil people as companions. He spends his time with wicked men.
9 He has even said, 'Why waste time trying to please God?'
10 "Listen to me, you who have understanding. Everyone knows that God doesn't sin! The Almighty can do no wrong.
11 He repays people according to their deeds. He treats people as they deserve.
12 Truly, God will not do wrong. The Almighty will not twist justice.
13 Did someone else put the world in his care? Who set the whole world in place?
14 If God were to take back his spirit and withdraw his breath,
15 all life would cease, and humanity would turn again to dust.
16 "Now listen to me if you are wise. Pay attention to what I say.
17 Could God govern if he hated justice? Are you going to condemn the almighty judge?
18 For he says to kings, 'You are wicked,' and to nobles, 'You are unjust.'
19 He doesn't care how great a person may be, and he pays no more attention to the rich than to the poor. He made them all.
20 In a moment they die. In the middle of the night they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.
21 "For God watches how people live; he sees everything they do.
22 No darkness is thick enough to hide the wicked from his eyes.
23 We don't set the time when we will come before God in judgment.
24 He brings the mighty to ruin without asking anyone, and he sets up others in their place.
25 He knows what they do, and in the night he overturns and destroys them.
26 He strikes them down because they are wicked, doing it openly for all to see.
27 For they turned away from following him. They have no respect for any of his ways.
28 They cause the poor to cry out, catching God's attention. He hears the cries of the needy.
29 But if he chooses to remain quiet, who can criticize him? When he hides his face, no one can find him, whether an individual or a nation.
30 He prevents the godless from ruling so they cannot be a snare to the people.
31 "Why don't people say to God, 'I have sinned, but I will sin no more'?
32 Or 'I don't know what evil I have done-- tell me. If I have done wrong, I will stop at once'?
33 "Must God tailor his justice to your demands? But you have rejected him! The choice is yours, not mine. Go ahead, share your wisdom with us.
34 After all, bright people will tell me, and wise people will hear me say,
35 'Job speaks out of ignorance; his words lack insight.'
36 Job, you deserve the maximum penalty for the wicked way you have talked.
37 For you have added rebellion to your sin; you show no respect, and you speak many angry words against God."
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.