« | Psalm 49 | » |
1 For the leader. A psalm of the Korahites.
2 Hear this, all you peoples! Give ear, all who inhabit the world,
3 You of lowly birth or high estate, rich and poor alike.
4 My mouth shall speak wisdom, my heart shall offer insight.
5 I will turn my attention to a problem, expound my question to the music of a lyre.
6 Why should I fear in evil days, when my wicked pursuers ring me round,
7 Those who trust in their wealth and boast of their abundant riches?
8 One cannot redeem oneself, pay to God a ransom.
9 Too high the price to redeem a life; one would never have enough
10 To stay alive forever and never see the pit.
11 Anyone can see that the wisest die, the fool and the senseless pass away too, and must leave their wealth to others.
12 Tombs are their homes forever, their dwellings through all generations, though they gave their names to their lands.
13 For all their riches mortals do not abide; they perish like the beasts.
14 This is the destiny of those who trust in folly, the end of those so pleased with their wealth. Selah
15 Like sheep they are herded into Sheol, where death will be their shepherd. Straight to the grave they descend, where their form will waste away, Sheol will be their palace.
16 But God will redeem my life, will take me from the power of Sheol. Selah
17 Do not fear when others become rich, when the wealth of their houses grows great.
18 When they die they will take nothing with them, their wealth will not follow them down.
19 When living, they congratulate themselves and say: "All praise you, you do so well."
20 But they will join the company of their forebears, never again to see the light.
21 For all their riches, if mortals do not have wisdom, they perish like the beasts.
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.