« | Job 8 | » |
1 Bildad the Shuhite spoke out and said:
2 How long will you utter such things? The words from your mouth are like a mighty wind!
3 Does God pervert judgment, and does the Almighty distort justice?
4 If your children have sinned against him and he has left them in the grip of their guilt,
5 Still, if you yourself have recourse to God and make supplication to the Almighty,
6 Should you be blameless and upright, surely now he will awake for you and restore your rightful domain;
7 Your former state will be of little moment, for in time to come you will flourish indeed.
8 If you inquire of the former generations, and give heed to the experience of the fathers
9 (As we are but of yesterday and have no knowledge, because our days on earth are but a shadow),
10 Will they not teach you and tell you and utter their words of understanding?
11 Can the papyrus grow up without mire? Can the reed grass flourish without water?
12 While it is yet green and uncut, it withers quicker than any grass.
13 So is the end of everyone who forgets God, and so shall the hope of the godless man perish.
14 His confidence is but a gossamer thread and his trust is a spider's web.
15 He shall rely upon his family, but it shall not last; he shall cling to it, but it shall not endure.
16 He is full of sap before sunrise, and beyond his garden his shoots go forth;
17 About a heap of stones are his roots entwined; among the rocks he takes hold.
18 Yet if one tears him from his place, it will disown him: "I have never seen you!"
19 There he lies rotting beside the road, and out of the soil another sprouts.
20 Behold, God will not cast away the upright; neither will he take the hand of the wicked.
21 Once more will he fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with rejoicing.
22 They that hate you shall be clothed with shame, and the tent of the wicked shall be no more.
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.