« | 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 not he see my ways, and number all my steps?
5 "If I have walked with falsehood, and my foot has hastened 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 gone after my eyes, and if any spot has cleaved 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 to a woman, and I have lain in wait at my neighbor's door;
10 then let my wife grind for another, and let others bow down upon her.
11 For that would be a heinous crime; that would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges;
12 for that would be a fire which consumes unto Abaddon, and it would burn to the root all my increase.
13 "If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant, 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 him? 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 fatherless has not eaten of it
18 (for from his youth I reared him as a father, and from his mother's womb I guided him);
19 if I have seen any one perish for lack of clothing, or a poor man without covering;
20 if his loins have not blessed me, and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
21 if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, because I saw help in 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 him that hated me, or exulted when evil overtook him
30 (I have not let my mouth sin by asking for his life with a curse);
31 if the men of my tent have not said, `Who is there that has not been filled with his meat?'
32 (the sojourner has not lodged in the street; I have opened my doors to the wayfarer);
33 if I have concealed my transgressions from men, 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 as 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 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).