« | Job 35 | » |
1 Then Elihu said:
2 "Do you think it is right for you to claim, 'I am righteous before God'?
3 For you also ask, 'What's in it for me? What's the use of living a righteous life?'
4 "I will answer you and all your friends, too.
5 Look up into the sky, and see the clouds high above you.
6 If you sin, how does that affect God? Even if you sin again and again, what effect will it have on him?
7 If you are good, is this some great gift to him? What could you possibly give him?
8 No, your sins affect only people like yourself, and your good deeds also affect only humans.
9 "People cry out when they are oppressed. They groan beneath the power of the mighty.
10 Yet they don't ask, 'Where is God my Creator, the one who gives songs in the night?
11 Where is the one who makes us smarter than the animals and wiser than the birds of the sky?'
12 And when they cry out, God does not answer because of their pride.
13 But it is wrong to say God doesn't listen, to say the Almighty isn't concerned.
14 You say you can't see him, but he will bring justice if you will only wait.
15 You say he does not respond to sinners with anger and is not greatly concerned about wickedness.
16 But you are talking nonsense, Job. You have spoken like a fool."
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.