« | Job 41 | » |
1 "Can you catch the leviathann on afish hook or tie its tongue down with a rope?
2 Can you put a cord through its nose or a hook in its jaw?
3 Will it keep begging you for mercy and speak to you with gentle words?
4 Will it make an agreement with you and let you take it as your slave for life?
5 Can you make a pet of the leviathan as you would a bird or put it on a leash for your girls?
6 Will traders try to bargain with you for it? Will they divide it up among the merchants?
7 Can you stick darts all over its skin or fill its head with fishing spears?
8 If you put one hand on it, you will never forget the battle, and you will never do it again!
9 There is no hope of defeating it; just seeing it overwhelms people.
10 No one is brave enough to make it angry, so who would be able to stand up against me?
11 No one has ever given me anything that I must pay back, because everything under the sky belongs to me.
12 "I will speak about Leviathan's arms and legs, its great strength and well-formed body.
13 No one can tear off its outer hide or poke through its double armor.
14 No one can force open its great jaws; they are filled with frightening teeth.
15 It has rows of shields on its back that are tightly sealed together.
16 Each shield is so close to the next one that no air can go between them.
17 They are joined strongly to one another; they hold on to each other and cannot be separated.
18 When it snorts, flashes of light are thrown out, and its eyes look like the light at dawn.
19 Flames blaze from its mouth; sparks of fire shoot out.
20 Smoke pours out of its nose, as if coming from a large pot over a hot fire.
21 Its breath sets coals on fire, and flames come out of its mouth.
22 There is great strength in its neck. People are afraid and run away.
23 The folds of its skin are tightly joined; they are set and cannot be moved.
24 Its chest is as hard as a rock, even as hard as a grinding stone.
25 The powerful fear its terrible looks and draw back in fear as it moves.
26 The sword that hits it does not hurt it, nor the arrows, darts, and spears.
27 It treats iron as if it were straw and bronze metal as if it were rotten wood.
28 It does not run away from arrows; stones from slings are like chaff to it.
29 Clubs feel like pieces of straw to it, and it laughs when they shake a spear at it.
30 The underside of its body is like broken pieces of pottery. It leaves a trail in the mud like a threshing board.
31 It makes the deep sea bubble like a boiling pot; it stirs up the sea like a pot of oil.
32 When it swims, it leaves a shining path in the water that makes the sea look as if it had white hair.
33 Nothing else on earth is equal to it; it is a creature without fear.
34 It looks down on all those who are too proud; it is king over all proud creatures."
The New Century Version (NCV)
The New Century Version (NCV) is a contemporary English translation of the Bible designed to be easily understandable and accessible to a broad audience. First published in 1987 by Thomas Nelson, the NCV originated from a project aimed at creating a simplified English translation for children. Over time, the scope of the translation expanded to cater to readers of all ages, including those with limited English proficiency and those new to the Bible. The NCV’s primary goal is to communicate the truths of Scripture in clear, everyday language that resonates with modern readers.
A notable feature of the NCV is its use of dynamic equivalence, or thought-for-thought translation philosophy. This approach prioritizes conveying the meaning and intent of the original texts over maintaining a strict word-for-word correspondence. By doing so, the NCV aims to make the Bible’s messages more relatable and easier to understand, especially for those who may find traditional translations challenging. The translation team worked diligently to balance accuracy with readability, ensuring that the essence of the biblical texts is preserved while making them more accessible to contemporary audiences.
The NCV also includes various study aids and features designed to enhance comprehension and engagement with the biblical text. These include introductions to each book of the Bible, footnotes that provide historical and cultural context, and cross-references that help readers see connections between different parts of Scripture. Additionally, the NCV often employs gender-neutral language where appropriate, aiming to be inclusive and respectful of modern sensibilities while remaining faithful to the original texts.
Despite its strengths, the New Century Version has faced some criticism from those who prefer more traditional or literal translations. Critics argue that the dynamic equivalence approach can sometimes result in a loss of nuance and depth found in the original languages. Additionally, some theologians express concern that the simplified language may not fully capture the richness and complexity of certain theological concepts. Nonetheless, the NCV remains a valuable resource for many readers, particularly those seeking a clear and approachable version of the Bible that helps them connect with and understand its timeless messages.