« | Job 9 | » |
1 Then Job spoke again:
2 "Yes, I know all this is true in principle. But how can a person be declared innocent in God's sight?
3 If someone wanted to take God to court, would it be possible to answer him even once in a thousand times?
4 For God is so wise and so mighty. Who has ever challenged him successfully?
5 "Without warning, he moves the mountains, overturning them in his anger.
6 He shakes the earth from its place, and its foundations tremble.
7 If he commands it, the sun won't rise and the stars won't shine.
8 He alone has spread out the heavens and marches on the waves of the sea.
9 He made all the stars-- the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the southern sky.
10 He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles.
11 "Yet when he comes near, I cannot see him. When he moves by, I do not see him go.
12 If he snatches someone in death, who can stop him? Who dares to ask, 'What are you doing?'
13 And God does not restrain his anger. Even the monsters of the sea are crushed beneath his feet.
14 "So who am I, that I should try to answer God or even reason with him?
15 Even if I were right, I would have no defense. I could only plead for mercy.
16 And even if I summoned him and he responded, I'm not sure he would listen to me.
17 For he attacks me with a storm and repeatedly wounds me without cause.
18 He will not let me catch my breath, but fills me instead with bitter sorrows.
19 If it's a question of strength, he's the strong one. If it's a matter of justice, who dares to summon him to court?
20 Though I am innocent, my own mouth would pronounce me guilty. Though I am blameless, it would prove me wicked.
21 "I am innocent, but it makes no difference to me-- I despise my life.
22 Innocent or wicked, it is all the same to God. That's why I say, 'He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.'
23 When a plague sweeps through, he laughs at the death of the innocent.
24 The whole earth is in the hands of the wicked, and God blinds the eyes of the judges. If he's not the one who does it, who is?
25 "My life passes more swiftly than a runner. It flees away without a glimpse of happiness.
26 It disappears like a swift papyrus boat, like an eagle swooping down on its prey.
27 If I decided to forget my complaints, to put away my sad face and be cheerful,
28 I would still dread all the pain, for I know you will not find me innocent, O God.
29 Whatever happens, I will be found guilty. So what's the use of trying?
30 Even if I were to wash myself with soap and clean my hands with lye,
31 you would plunge me into a muddy ditch, and my own filthy clothing would hate me.
32 "God is not a mortal like me, so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial.
33 If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together.
34 The mediator could make God stop beating me, and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment.
35 Then I could speak to him without fear, but I cannot do that in my own strength.
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.