« | Job 5 | » |
1 "Cry for help, but will anyone answer you? Which of the angels will help you?
2 Surely resentment destroys the fool, and jealousy kills the simple.
3 I have seen that fools may be successful for the moment, but then comes sudden disaster.
4 Their children are abandoned far from help; they are crushed in court with no one to defend them.
5 The hungry devour their harvest, even when it is guarded by brambles. The thirsty pant after their wealth.
6 But evil does not spring from the soil, and trouble does not sprout from the earth.
7 People are born for trouble as readily as sparks fly up from a fire.
8 "If I were you, I would go to God and present my case to him.
9 He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles.
10 He gives rain for the earth and water for the fields.
11 He gives prosperity to the poor and protects those who suffer.
12 He frustrates the plans of schemers so the work of their hands will not succeed.
13 He traps the wise in their own cleverness so their cunning schemes are thwarted.
14 They find it is dark in the daytime, and they grope at noon as if it were night.
15 He rescues the poor from the cutting words of the strong, and rescues them from the clutches of the powerful.
16 And so at last the poor have hope, and the snapping jaws of the wicked are shut.
17 "But consider the joy of those corrected by God! Do not despise the discipline of the Almighty when you sin.
18 For though he wounds, he also bandages. He strikes, but his hands also heal.
19 From six disasters he will rescue you; even in the seventh, he will keep you from evil.
20 He will save you from death in time of famine, from the power of the sword in time of war.
21 You will be safe from slander and have no fear when destruction comes.
22 You will laugh at destruction and famine; wild animals will not terrify you.
23 You will be at peace with the stones of the field, and its wild animals will be at peace with you.
24 You will know that your home is safe. When you survey your possessions, nothing will be missing.
25 You will have many children; your descendants will be as plentiful as grass!
26 You will go to the grave at a ripe old age, like a sheaf of grain harvested at the proper time!
27 "We have studied life and found all this to be true. Listen to my counsel, and apply it to yourself."
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.