« | Job 41 | » |
1 Is it possible for Leviathan to be pulled out with a fish-hook, or for a hook to be put through the bone of his mouth?
2 Will you put a cord into his nose, or take him away with a cord round his tongue?
3 Will he make prayers to you, or say soft words to you?
4 Will he make an agreement with you, so that you may take him as a servant for ever?
5 Will you make sport with him, as with a bird? or put him in chains for your young women?
6 Will the fishermen make profit out of him? will they have him cut up for the traders?
7 Will you put sharp-pointed irons into his skin, or fish-spears into his head?
8 Only put your hand on him, and see what a fight you will have; you will not do it again!
9 Truly, the hope of his attacker is false; he is overcome even on seeing him!
10 He is so cruel that no one is ready to go against him. Who then is able to keep his place before me?
11 Who ever went against me, and got the better of me? There is no one under heaven!
12 I will not keep quiet about the parts of his body, or about his power, and the strength of his frame.
13 Who has ever taken off his outer skin? who may come inside his inner coat of iron?
14 Who has made open the doors of his face? Fear is round about his teeth.
15 His back is made of lines of plates, joined tight together, one against the other, like a stamp.
16 One is so near to the other that no air may come between them.
17 They take a grip of one another; they are joined together, so that they may not be parted.
18 His sneezings give out flames, and his eyes are like the eyes of the dawn.
19 Out of his mouth go burning lights, and flames of fire are jumping up.
20 Smoke comes out of his nose, like a pot boiling on the fire.
21 His breath puts fire to coals, and a flame goes out of his mouth.
22 Strength is in his neck, and fear goes dancing before him.
23 The plates of his flesh are joined together, fixed, and not to be moved.
24 His heart is as strong as a stone, hard as the lower crushing-stone.
25 When he gets ready for the fight, the strong are overcome with fear.
26 The sword may come near him but is not able to go through him; the spear, or the arrow, or the sharp-pointed iron.
27 Iron is to him as dry grass, and brass as soft wood.
28 The arrow is not able to put him to flight: stones are no more to him than dry stems.
29 A thick stick is no better than a leaf of grass, and he makes sport of the onrush of the spear.
30 Under him are sharp edges of broken pots: as if he was pulling a grain-crushing instrument over the wet earth.
31 The deep is boiling like a pot of spices, and the sea like a perfume-vessel.
32 After him his way is shining, so that the deep seems white.
33 On earth there is not another like him, who is made without fear.
34 Everything which is high goes in fear of him; he is king over all the sons of pride.
The Bible in Basic English (BBE)
The Bible in Basic English (BBE) is a translation of the Bible that aims to make the scriptures accessible to people with limited English proficiency. Completed in 1941 by Professor Samuel Henry Hooke and a team of scholars, the BBE utilizes a simplified vocabulary of approximately 1,000 basic English words, along with additional words necessary to maintain the integrity of the biblical text. This approach ensures that the translation is easily understandable while still conveying the core messages and teachings of the Bible.
One of the defining features of the BBE is its commitment to simplicity and clarity. By using a restricted vocabulary and straightforward sentence structures, the BBE makes it easier for readers to grasp the fundamental ideas of the scriptures without being hindered by complex language. This makes the BBE particularly valuable for non-native English speakers, children, and individuals with limited literacy skills. The translation aims to break down language barriers, allowing a broader audience to engage with Bible teachings.
Despite its simplified language, the BBE strives to remain faithful to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. The translators worked carefully to ensure that the essential meanings and theological concepts were preserved, even as they adapted the language to be more accessible. This balance of simplicity and fidelity to the original texts helps maintain the Bible’ s depth and spiritual richness while making it more approachable. The BBE’ s emphasis on clarity without sacrificing essential meaning has made it a useful tool for teaching and evangelism.
However, the BBE has faced some criticism, particularly from scholars and theologians who argue that the simplification process may lead to the loss of some nuances and deeper meanings present in the original languages. Some feel that the restricted vocabulary can oversimplify complex theological concepts, potentially limiting the reader’ s understanding of the full depth of the scriptures. Despite these criticisms, the Bible in Basic English remains a valuable resource for those seeking an easily understandable version of the Bible, providing a bridge for many to access the timeless messages contained within the holy scriptures.