« | Job 39 | » |
1 "Do you know when the mountain goats bring forth? Do you observe the calving of the hinds?
2 Can you number the months that they fulfil, and do you know the time when they bring forth,
3 when they crouch, bring forth their offspring, and are delivered of their young?
4 Their young ones become strong, they grow up in the open; they go forth, and do not return to them.
5 "Who has let the wild ass go free? Who has loosed the bonds of the swift ass,
6 to whom I have given the steppe for his home, and the salt land for his dwelling place?
7 He scorns the tumult of the city; he hears not the shouts of the driver.
8 He ranges the mountains as his pasture, and he searches after every green thing.
9 "Is the wild ox willing to serve you? Will he spend the night at your crib?
10 Can you bind him in the furrow with ropes, or will he harrow the valleys after you?
11 Will you depend on him because his strength is great, and will you leave to him your labor?
12 Do you have faith in him that he will return, and bring your grain to your threshing floor?
13 "The wings of the ostrich wave proudly; but are they the pinions and plumage of love?
14 For she leaves her eggs to the earth, and lets them be warmed on the ground,
15 forgetting that a foot may crush them, and that the wild beast may trample them.
16 She deals cruelly with her young, as if they were not hers; though her labor be in vain, yet she has no fear;
17 because God has made her forget wisdom, and given her no share in understanding.
18 When she rouses herself to flee, she laughs at the horse and his rider.
19 "Do you give the horse his might? Do you clothe his neck with strength?
20 Do you make him leap like the locust? His majestic snorting is terrible.
21 He paws in the valley, and exults in his strength; he goes out to meet the weapons.
22 He laughs at fear, and is not dismayed; he does not turn back from the sword.
23 Upon him rattle the quiver, the flashing spear and the javelin.
24 With fierceness and rage he swallows the ground; he cannot stand still at the sound of the trumpet.
25 When the trumpet sounds, he says `Aha!' He smells the battle from afar, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
26 "Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars, and spreads his wings toward the south?
27 Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up and makes his nest on high?
28 On the rock he dwells and makes his home in the fastness of the rocky crag.
29 Thence he spies out the prey; his eyes behold it afar off.
30 His young ones suck up blood; and where the slain are, there is he."
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).