« | Job 7 | » |
1 "Is not all human life a struggle? Our lives are like that of a hired hand,
2 like a worker who longs for the shade, like a servant waiting to be paid.
3 I, too, have been assigned months of futility, long and weary nights of misery.
4 Lying in bed, I think, 'When will it be morning?' But the night drags on, and I toss till dawn.
5 My body is covered with maggots and scabs. My skin breaks open, oozing with pus.
6 "My days fly faster than a weaver's shuttle. They end without hope.
7 O God, remember that my life is but a breath, and I will never again feel happiness.
8 You see me now, but not for long. You will look for me, but I will be gone.
9 Just as a cloud dissipates and vanishes, those who die will not come back.
10 They are gone forever from their home-- never to be seen again.
11 "I cannot keep from speaking. I must express my anguish. My bitter soul must complain.
12 Am I a sea monster or a dragon that you must place me under guard?
13 I think, 'My bed will comfort me, and sleep will ease my misery,'
14 but then you shatter me with dreams and terrify me with visions.
15 I would rather be strangled-- rather die than suffer like this.
16 I hate my life and don't want to go on living. Oh, leave me alone for my few remaining days.
17 "What are people, that you should make so much of us, that you should think of us so often?
18 For you examine us every morning and test us every moment.
19 Why won't you leave me alone, at least long enough for me to swallow!
20 If I have sinned, what have I done to you, O watcher of all humanity? Why make me your target? Am I a burden to you?
21 Why not just forgive my sin and take away my guilt? For soon I will lie down in the dust and die. When you look for me, I will be gone."
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.