« | Job 37 | » |
1 "My heart pounds as I think of this. It trembles within me.
2 Listen carefully to the thunder of God's voice as it rolls from his mouth.
3 It rolls across the heavens, and his lightning flashes in every direction.
4 Then comes the roaring of the thunder-- the tremendous voice of his majesty. He does not restrain it when he speaks.
5 God's voice is glorious in the thunder. We can't even imagine the greatness of his power.
6 "He directs the snow to fall on the earth and tells the rain to pour down.
7 Then everyone stops working so they can watch his power.
8 The wild animals take cover and stay inside their dens.
9 The stormy wind comes from its chamber, and the driving winds bring the cold.
10 God's breath sends the ice, freezing wide expanses of water.
11 He loads the clouds with moisture, and they flash with his lightning.
12 The clouds churn about at his direction. They do whatever he commands throughout the earth.
13 He makes these things happen either to punish people or to show his unfailing love.
14 "Pay attention to this, Job. Stop and consider the wonderful miracles of God!
15 Do you know how God controls the storm and causes the lightning to flash from his clouds?
16 Do you understand how he moves the clouds with wonderful perfection and skill?
17 When you are sweltering in your clothes and the south wind dies down and everything is still,
18 he makes the skies reflect the heat like a bronze mirror. Can you do that?
19 "So teach the rest of us what to say to God. We are too ignorant to make our own arguments.
20 Should God be notified that I want to speak? Can people even speak when they are confused?
21 We cannot look at the sun, for it shines brightly in the sky when the wind clears away the clouds.
22 So also, golden splendor comes from the mountain of God. He is clothed in dazzling splendor.
23 We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty; but even though he is just and righteous, he does not destroy us.
24 No wonder people everywhere fear him. All who are wise show him reverence."
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.