« | Job 36 | » |
1 Elihu proceeded further and said:
2 Wait yet a little and I will instruct you, for there are still words to be said on God's behalf.
3 I will bring my knowledge from afar, and to my Maker I will accord the right.
4 For indeed, my theme cannot fail me: the one perfect in knowledge I set before you.
5 Behold, God rejects the obstinate in heart; he preserves not the life of the wicked.
6 He withholds not the just man's rights, but grants vindication to the oppressed,
7 And with kings upon thrones he sets them, exalted forever.
8 Or if they are bound with fetters and held fast by bonds of affliction,
9 Then he makes known to them what they have done and their sins of boastful pride.
10 He opens their ears to correction and exhorts them to turn back from evil.
11 If they obey and serve him, they spend their days in prosperity, their years in happiness.
12 But if they obey not, they perish; they die for lack of knowledge.
13 The impious in heart lay up anger for themselves; they cry not for help when he enchains them;
14 Therefore they expire in youth, and perish among the reprobate.
15 But he saves the unfortunate through their affliction, and instructs them through distress.
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21 Take heed, turn not to evil; for you have preferred carousal to affliction.
22 Behold, God is sublime in his power. What teacher is there like him?
23 Who prescribes for him his conduct, or who can say, "You have done wrong"?
24 Remember, you should extol his work, which men have praised in song.
25 All men contemplate it; man beholds it from afar.
26 Lo, God is great beyond our knowledge; the number of his years is past searching out.
27 He holds in check the waterdrops that filter in rain through his mists,
28 Till the skies run with them and the showers rain down on mankind.
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30 Lo! he spreads the clouds in layers as the carpeting of his tent.
31 For by these he nourishes the nations, and gives them food in abundance.
32 In his hands he holds the lightning, and he commands it to strike the mark.
33 His thunder speaks for him and incites the fury of the storm.
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.