« | Job 34 | » |
1 Then Elihu answered and said:
2 "Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who know;
3 for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food.
4 Let us choose what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job has said, 'I am in the right, and God has taken away my right;
6 in spite of my right I am counted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.'
7 What man is like Job, who drinks up scoffing like water,
8 who travels in company with evildoers and walks with wicked men?
9 For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should take delight in God.'
10 "Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding: far be it from God that he should do wickedness, and from the Almighty that he should do wrong.
11 For according to the work of a man he will repay him, and according to his ways he will make it befall him.
12 Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.
13 Who gave him charge over the earth, and who laid on him the whole world?
14 If he should set his heart to it and gather to himself his spirit and his breath,
15 all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust.
16 "If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.
17 Shall one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,
18 who says to a king, 'Worthless one,' and to nobles, 'Wicked man,'
19 who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?
20 In a moment they die; at midnight the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away by no human hand.
21 "For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps.
22 There is no gloom or deep darkness where evildoers may hide themselves.
23 For God has no need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.
24 He shatters the mighty without investigation and sets others in their place.
25 Thus, knowing their works, he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.
26 He strikes them for their wickedness in a place for all to see,
27 because they turned aside from following him and had no regard for any of his ways,
28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him, and he heard the cry of the afflicted-
29 When he is quiet, who can condemn? When he hides his face, who can behold him, whether it be a nation or a man?-
30 that a godless man should not reign, that he should not ensnare the people.
31 "For has anyone said to God, 'I have borne punishment; I will not offend any more;
32 teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?
33 Will he then make repayment to suit you, because you reject it? For you must choose, and not I; therefore declare what you know.
34 Men of understanding will say to me, and the wise man who hears me will say:
35 'Job speaks without knowledge; his words are without insight.'
36 Would that Job were tried to the end, because he answers like wicked men.
37 For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God."
The English Standard Version (ESV)
The English Standard Version (ESV) is a prominent Bible translation that strives to balance word-for-word accuracy with readability. First published in 2001 by Crossway, the ESV was developed by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors. It aims to provide a faithful rendering of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts while maintaining the literary quality and stylistic beauty of the English language. This translation approach makes the ESV suitable for both personal study and public worship.
A key feature of the ESV is its commitment to formal equivalence, or essentially literal translation philosophy. This method prioritizes a close correspondence between the original languages and the English text, ensuring that the translation remains as true as possible to the original words and structures. The ESV translators worked meticulously to preserve the nuances and intricacies of the biblical languages, while also striving for clarity and smoothness in English. This balance makes the ESV highly regarded for its accuracy and readability.
The ESV is also known for its use in academic and scholarly settings. Its rigorous translation process and commitment to textual fidelity make it a reliable resource for in-depth Bible study and theological research. The translation includes extensive footnotes and cross-references that provide additional context and insights, helping readers to understand the historical, cultural, and linguistic background of the scriptures. The ESV’s clear and precise language has made it a preferred choice for pastors, scholars, and serious students of the Bible.
Despite its many strengths, the ESV has faced some criticism. Some readers and scholars argue that the translation’s formal equivalence approach can sometimes result in a text that is overly rigid and less fluid than more dynamic translations. Others have raised concerns about gender-specific language in the ESV, suggesting that it may not be as inclusive as some other modern translations. Nonetheless, the English Standard Version remains a highly respected and widely used translation, valued for its accuracy, readability, and commitment to preserving the original meaning of the biblical texts.