The Flow of Prose

The Bible contains beautiful poetry. However, that poetry is easily stuffed by literal translations. What flows well in one language sounds clunky and disjointed in another. Reminding us of this point is Sam of unrelated ramblings in his comparison of different translations of Job 20:1-3.


NASB

TNIV

ESV

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered,

“Therefore my disquieting thoughts make me respond,

Even because of my inward agitation.

“I listened to the reproof which insults me,

And the spirit of my understanding makes me answer.

Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
“My troubled thoughts prompt me to answer
because I am greatly disturbed.
I hear a rebuke that dishonors me,
and my understanding inspires me to reply.

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:
“Therefore my thoughts answer me,
because of my haste within me.
I hear censure that insults me,
and out of my understanding a spirit answers me.

Sam concludes with the following:

Clearly the (TNIV) is far more readable, and clearer in it’s meaning. Without being able to judge the underlying Hebrew, I would guess that the NIV is probably more accurate in conveying the meaning of the text into English here.

As much as I like the NASB and the ESV, I have to agree with him here.

Post a Comment or Leave a Trackback

Post a Comment

Your email is never published nor shared. Required fields are marked *

*
*