« | Job 22 | » |
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered:
2 "Can a mortal be of use to God? Can even the wisest be of service to him?
3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous, or is it gain to him if you make your ways blameless?
4 Is it for your piety that he reproves you, and enters into judgment with you?
5 Is not your wickedness great? There is no end to your iniquities.
6 For you have exacted pledges from your family for no reason, and stripped the naked of their clothing.
7 You have given no water to the weary to drink, and you have withheld bread from the hungry.
8 The powerful possess the land, and the favored live in it.
9 You have sent widows away empty-handed, and the arms of the orphans you have crushed.
10 Therefore snares are around you, and sudden terror overwhelms you,
11 or darkness so that you cannot see; a flood of water covers you.
12 "Is not God high in the heavens? See the highest stars, how lofty they are!
13 Therefore you say, 'What does God know? Can he judge through the deep darkness?
14 Thick clouds enwrap him, so that he does not see, and he walks on the dome of heaven.'
15 Will you keep to the old way that the wicked have trod?
16 They were snatched away before their time; their foundation was washed away by a flood.
17 They said to God, 'Leave us alone,' and 'What can the Almighty do to us?'
18 Yet he filled their houses with good things-- but the plans of the wicked are repugnant to me.
19 The righteous see it and are glad; the innocent laugh them to scorn,
20 saying, 'Surely our adversaries are cut off, and what they left, the fire has consumed.'
21 "Agree with God, and be at peace; in this way good will come to you.
22 Receive instruction from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart.
23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored, if you remove unrighteousness from your tents,
24 if you treat gold like dust, and gold of Ophir like the stones of the torrent-bed,
25 and if the Almighty is your gold and your precious silver,
26 then you will delight yourself in the Almighty, and lift up your face to God.
27 You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will pay your vows.
28 You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways.
29 When others are humiliated, you say it is pride; for he saves the humble.
30 He will deliver even those who are guilty; they will escape because of the cleanness of your hands."
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.