« | Job 7 | » |
1 Is not man's life on earth a drudgery? Are not his days those of a hireling?
2 He is a slave who longs for the shade, a hireling who waits for his wages.
3 So I have been assigned months of misery, and troubled nights have been told off for me.
4 If in bed I say, "When shall I arise?" then the night drags on; I am filled with restlessness until the dawn.
5 My flesh is clothed with worms and scabs; my skin cracks and festers;
6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle; they come to an end without hope.
7 Remember that my life is like the wind; I shall not see happiness again.
8 The eye that now sees me shall no more behold me; as you look at me, I shall be gone.
9 As a cloud dissolves and vanishes, so he who goes down to the nether world shall come up no more.
10 He shall not again return to his house; his place shall know him no more.
11 My own utterance I will not restrain; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
12 Am I the sea, or a monster of the deep, that you place a watch over me? Why have you set me up as an object of attack; or why should I be a target for you?
13 When I say, "My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint,"
14 Then you affright me with dreams and with visions terrify me,
15 So that I should prefer choking and death rather than my pains.
16 I waste away: I cannot live forever; let me alone, for my days are but a breath.
17 What is man, that you make much of him, or pay him any heed?
18 You observe him with each new day and try him at every moment!
19 How long will it be before you look away from me, and let me alone long enough to swallow my spittle?
20 Though I have sinned, what can I do to you, O watcher of men?
21 Why do you not pardon my offense, or take away my guilt? For soon I shall lie down in the dust; and should you seek me I shall then be gone.
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.