« | Job 20 | » |
1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered:
2 "Pay attention! My thoughts urge me to answer, because of the agitation within me.
3 I hear censure that insults me, and a spirit beyond my understanding answers me.
4 Do you not know this from of old, ever since mortals were placed on earth,
5 that the exulting of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless is but for a moment?
6 Even though they mount up high as the heavens, and their head reaches to the clouds,
7 they will perish forever like their own dung; those who have seen them will say, 'Where are they?'
8 They will fly away like a dream, and not be found; they will be chased away like a vision of the night.
9 The eye that saw them will see them no more, nor will their place behold them any longer.
10 Their children will seek the favor of the poor, and their hands will give back their wealth.
11 Their bodies, once full of youth, will lie down in the dust with them.
12 "Though wickedness is sweet in their mouth, though they hide it under their tongues,
13 though they are loath to let it go, and hold it in their mouths,
14 yet their food is turned in their stomachs; it is the venom of asps within them.
15 They swallow down riches and vomit them up again; God casts them out of their bellies.
16 They will suck the poison of asps; the tongue of a viper will kill them.
17 They will not look on the rivers, the streams flowing with honey and curds.
18 They will give back the fruit of their toil, and will not swallow it down; from the profit of their trading they will get no enjoyment.
19 For they have crushed and abandoned the poor, they have seized a house that they did not build.
20 "They knew no quiet in their bellies; in their greed they let nothing escape.
21 There was nothing left after they had eaten; therefore their prosperity will not endure.
22 In full sufficiency they will be in distress; all the force of misery will come upon them.
23 To fill their belly to the full God will send his fierce anger into them, and rain it upon them as their food.
24 They will flee from an iron weapon; a bronze arrow will strike them through.
25 It is drawn forth and comes out of their body, and the glittering point comes out of their gall; terrors come upon them.
26 Utter darkness is laid up for their treasures; a fire fanned by no one will devour them; what is left in their tent will be consumed.
27 The heavens will reveal their iniquity, and the earth will rise up against them.
28 The possessions of their house will be carried away, dragged off in the day of God's wrath.
29 This is the portion of the wicked from God, the heritage decreed for them by God."
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.