« | Job 27 | » |
1 And Job again took up his discourse, and said:
2 "As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter;
3 as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;
4 my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.
5 Far be it from me to say that you are right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.
6 I hold fast my righteousness, and will not let it go; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days.
7 "Let my enemy be as the wicked, and let him that rises up against me be as the unrighteous.
8 For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life?
9 Will God hear his cry, when trouble comes upon him?
10 Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?
11 I will teach you concerning the hand of God; what is with the Almighty I will not conceal.
12 Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain?
13 "This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage which oppressors receive from the Almighty:
14 If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword; and his offspring have not enough to eat.
15 Those who survive him the pestilence buries, and their widows make no lamentation.
16 Though he heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay;
17 he may pile it up, but the just will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver.
18 The house which he builds is like a spider's web, like a booth which a watchman makes.
19 He goes to bed rich, but will do so no more; he opens his eyes, and his wealth is gone.
20 Terrors overtake him like a flood; in the night a whirlwind carries him off.
21 The east wind lifts him up and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place.
22 It hurls at him without pity; he flees from its power in headlong flight.
23 It claps its hands at him, and hisses at him from its place.
The Revised Standard Version (RSV)
The Revised Standard Version (RSV) is a widely respected English translation of the Bible that was first published in 1952 by the National Council of Churches. It was developed as a revision of the American Standard Version (ASV) of 1901, with the primary aim of providing a more accurate and readable text while retaining the literary qualities of its predecessor. The RSV sought to modernize the language of the ASV without sacrificing its faithfulness to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts, making it a significant milestone in the history of English Bible translations.
One of the key features of the RSV is its commitment to formal equivalence, or a word-for-word translation approach. This method ensures that the translation closely mirrors the structure and wording of the original texts, allowing readers to engage more directly with the biblical languages. The translators of the RSV were guided by the latest biblical scholarship of their time, and they endeavored to produce a text that was both accurate and elegant. This combination of precision and literary quality has made the RSV a popular choice for both academic study and liturgical use.
The RSV also stands out for its ecumenical appeal. It was one of the first translations to be accepted across a wide range of Christian denominations, including Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions. This broad acceptance was partly due to the inclusive approach of the translation committee, which included scholars from various religious backgrounds. The RSV’s ecumenical nature helped it gain widespread usage in churches, seminaries, and universities, fostering a greater sense of unity among different Christian communities.
Despite its many strengths, the RSV has faced some criticism over the years. Some conservative scholars and readers have expressed concerns about certain translation choices, arguing that they reflect modernist theological perspectives. Additionally, the RSV’s use of archaic language in certain passages has been a point of contention for those seeking a more contemporary rendering of the Bible. Nonetheless, the Revised Standard Version remains a highly respected and influential translation, valued for its accuracy, literary excellence, and broad ecumenical acceptance. It continues to serve as a foundation for later revisions and translations, such as the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) and the English Standard Version (ESV).