« | Job 15 | » |
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered:
2 "Should the wise answer with windy knowledge, and fill themselves with the east wind?
3 Should they argue in unprofitable talk, or in words with which they can do no good?
4 But you are doing away with the fear of God, and hindering meditation before God.
5 For your iniquity teaches your mouth, and you choose the tongue of the crafty.
6 Your own mouth condemns you, and not I; your own lips testify against you.
7 "Are you the firstborn of the human race? Were you brought forth before the hills?
8 Have you listened in the council of God? And do you limit wisdom to yourself?
9 What do you know that we do not know? What do you understand that is not clear to us?
10 The gray-haired and the aged are on our side, those older than your father.
11 Are the consolations of God too small for you, or the word that deals gently with you?
12 Why does your heart carry you away, and why do your eyes flash,
13 so that you turn your spirit against God, and let such words go out of your mouth?
14 What are mortals, that they can be clean? Or those born of woman, that they can be righteous?
15 God puts no trust even in his holy ones, and the heavens are not clean in his sight;
16 how much less one who is abominable and corrupt, one who drinks iniquity like water!
17 "I will show you; listen to me; what I have seen I will declare--
18 what sages have told, and their ancestors have not hidden,
19 to whom alone the land was given, and no stranger passed among them.
20 The wicked writhe in pain all their days, through all the years that are laid up for the ruthless.
21 Terrifying sounds are in their ears; in prosperity the destroyer will come upon them.
22 They despair of returning from darkness, and they are destined for the sword.
23 They wander abroad for bread, saying, 'Where is it?' They know that a day of darkness is ready at hand;
24 distress and anguish terrify them; they prevail against them, like a king prepared for battle.
25 Because they stretched out their hands against God, and bid defiance to the Almighty,
26 running stubbornly against him with a thick-bossed shield;
27 because they have covered their faces with their fat, and gathered fat upon their loins,
28 they will live in desolate cities, in houses that no one should inhabit, houses destined to become heaps of ruins;
29 they will not be rich, and their wealth will not endure, nor will they strike root in the earth;
30 they will not escape from darkness; the flame will dry up their shoots, and their blossom will be swept away by the wind.
31 Let them not trust in emptiness, deceiving themselves; for emptiness will be their recompense.
32 It will be paid in full before their time, and their branch will not be green.
33 They will shake off their unripe grape, like the vine, and cast off their blossoms, like the olive tree.
34 For the company of the godless is barren, and fire consumes the tents of bribery.
35 They conceive mischief and bring forth evil and their heart prepares deceit."
The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) is a highly respected English translation of the Bible that was first published in 1989 by the National Council of Churches. It was developed as an update to the Revised Standard Version (RSV) of 1952, with the goal of incorporating the latest biblical scholarship and addressing changes in the English language. The NRSV is renowned for its accuracy, literary quality, and ecumenical approach, making it a preferred choice for both academic study and liturgical use across various Christian denominations.
One of the primary features of the NRSV is its commitment to being a literal, or word-for-word, translation while also ensuring that the text is clear and comprehensible for modern readers. The translation team, which included scholars from diverse religious backgrounds, aimed to produce a text that faithfully represents the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts. This dedication to precision and clarity makes the NRSV an excellent resource for in-depth study and theological reflection, as it strives to convey the exact meaning of the original texts.
The NRSV is also notable for its inclusive language, which seeks to reflect the diversity of the contemporary Christian community. The translators took great care to avoid gender-specific language when the original texts did not explicitly require it, making the text more inclusive and accessible to all readers. This approach has been particularly appreciated in academic and liturgical settings, where sensitivity to gender and inclusivity are important considerations. The NRSV’s attention to inclusive language helps ensure that all readers can see themselves reflected in the biblical narrative.
Despite its many strengths, the NRSV has faced some criticism, particularly from those who prefer more traditional translations. Critics argue that the use of inclusive language can sometimes lead to interpretations that differ from the original intent of the texts. Additionally, some conservative scholars and readers feel that the NRSV’s ecumenical approach may result in compromises on certain theological nuances. Nonetheless, the New Revised Standard Version remains a highly valued translation, widely used in churches, seminaries, and universities for its scholarly rigor, literary excellence, and commitment to inclusivity.