« | Job 31 | » |
1 "I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I look upon a virgin?
2 What would be my portion from God above, and my heritage from the Almighty on high?
3 Does not calamity befall the unrighteous, and disaster the workers of iniquity?
4 Does he not see my ways, and number all my steps?
5 "If I have walked with falsehood, and my foot has hurried to deceit--
6 let me be weighed in a just balance, and let God know my integrity!--
7 if my step has turned aside from the way, and my heart has followed my eyes, and if any spot has clung to my hands;
8 then let me sow, and another eat; and let what grows for me be rooted out.
9 "If my heart has been enticed by a woman, and I have lain in wait at my neighbor's door;
10 then let my wife grind for another, and let other men kneel over her.
11 For that would be a heinous crime; that would be a criminal offense;
12 for that would be a fire consuming down to Abaddon, and it would burn to the root all my harvest.
13 "If I have rejected the cause of my male or female slaves, when they brought a complaint against me;
14 what then shall I do when God rises up? When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him?
15 Did not he who made me in the womb make them? And did not one fashion us in the womb?
16 "If I have withheld anything that the poor desired, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
17 or have eaten my morsel alone, and the orphan has not eaten from it--
18 for from my youth I reared the orphan like a father, and from my mother's womb I guided the widow--
19 if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, or a poor person without covering,
20 whose loins have not blessed me, and who was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
21 if I have raised my hand against the orphan, because I saw I had supporters at the gate;
22 then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder, and let my arm be broken from its socket.
23 For I was in terror of calamity from God, and I could not have faced his majesty.
24 "If I have made gold my trust, or called fine gold my confidence;
25 if I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, or because my hand had gotten much;
26 if I have looked at the sun when it shone, or the moon moving in splendor,
27 and my heart has been secretly enticed, and my mouth has kissed my hand;
28 this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges, for I should have been false to God above.
29 "If I have rejoiced at the ruin of those who hated me, or exulted when evil overtook them--
30 I have not let my mouth sin by asking for their lives with a curse--
31 if those of my tent ever said, 'O that we might be sated with his flesh!'--
32 the stranger has not lodged in the street; I have opened my doors to the traveler--
33 if I have concealed my transgressions as others do, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom,
34 because I stood in great fear of the multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors--
35 Oh, that I had one to hear me! (Here is my signature! let the Almighty answer me!) Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!
36 Surely I would carry it on my shoulder; I would bind it on me like a crown;
37 I would give him an account of all my steps; like a prince I would approach him.
38 "If my land has cried out against me, and its furrows have wept together;
39 if I have eaten its yield without payment, and caused the death of its owners;
40 let thorns grow instead of wheat, and foul weeds instead of barley." The words of Job are ended.
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.