« | Psalm 129 | » |
1 A song of ascents. I Much have they oppressed me from my youth, now let Israel say.
2 Much have they oppressed me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed.
3 Upon my back the plowers plowed, as they traced their long furrows.
4 But the just LORD cut me free from the ropes of the yoke of the wicked.
5 May they be scattered in disgrace, all who hate Zion.
6 May they be like grass on the rooftops withered in early growth,
7 Never to fill the reaper's hands, nor the arms of the binders of sheaves,
8 With none passing by to call out: "The blessing of the LORD be upon you! We bless you in the name of the LORD!"
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.