« | Job 9 | » |
1 Then Job answered and said:
2 "Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be in the right before God?
3 If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand times.
4 He is wise in heart and mighty in strength- who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded?-
5 he who removes mountains, and they know it not, when he overturns them in his anger,
6 who shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble;
7 who commands the sun, and it does not rise; who seals up the stars;
8 who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea;
9 who made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south;
10 who does great things beyond searching out, and marvelous things beyond number.
11 Behold, he passes by me, and I see him not; he moves on, but I do not perceive him.
12 Behold, he snatches away; who can turn him back? Who will say to him, 'What are you doing?'
13 "God will not turn back his anger; beneath him bowed the helpers of Rahab.
14 How then can I answer him, choosing my words with him?
15 Though I am in the right, I cannot answer him; I must appeal for mercy to my accuser.
16 If I summoned him and he answered me, I would not believe that he was listening to my voice.
17 For he crushes me with a tempest and multiplies my wounds without cause;
18 he will not let me get my breath, but fills me with bitterness.
19 If it is a contest of strength, behold, he is mighty! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon him?
20 Though I am in the right, my own mouth would condemn me; though I am blameless, he would prove me perverse.
21 I am blameless; I regard not myself; I loathe my life.
22 It is all one; therefore I say, He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.
23 When disaster brings sudden death, he mocks at the calamity of the innocent.
24 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; he covers the faces of its judges- if it is not he, who then is it?
25 "My days are swifter than a runner; they flee away; they see no good.
26 They go by like skiffs of reed, like an eagle swooping on the prey.
27 If I say, 'I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad face, and be of good cheer,'
28 I become afraid of all my suffering, for I know you will not hold me innocent.
29 I shall be condemned; why then do I labor in vain?
30 If I wash myself with snow and cleanse my hands with lye,
31 yet you will plunge me into a pit, and my own clothes will abhor me.
32 For he is not a man, as I am, that I might answer him, that we should come to trial together.
33 There is no arbiter between us, who might lay his hand on us both.
34 Let him take his rod away from me, and let not dread of him terrify me.
35 Then I would speak without fear of him, for I am not so in myself.
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.