(I even took a minute to spot faces in a passing cloud).
Uncle Alvin
Speaking of paradisaical conditions, I am sure you have heard of "the land flowing with milk and honey." May I recommend you try putting these two items in your morning coffee? We may not be living in a paradise just now, but a morning coffee flowing with milk and honey is a small beautiful taste of it.
While doing a little Bible reading by the pool (on my iPad) I came across a tiny detail in the book of Job that sparked my curiosity. It is the part where God first speaks to Job and says, "Brace yourself, please, like a man; I will question you, and you inform me. Where were you when I founded the earth? Tell me if you think you understand. Who set its measurements, in case you know?"
Instead of 'brace yourself like a man' older translations say, "Gird up now thy loins like a man..."
I wondered what exactly this meant. What, specifically, was Job being called on to do? I had a vague idea of course but I wanted a more specific, clearer picture. So I checked other translations on my Bible app (a very interesting app by the way with about 50 translations).
The Modern English Versions reads, "Prepare yourself like a man." The Good News Bible says, "Now stand up straight and answer the questions I ask you." That was pretty clear. Eventually I came to The Message Bible and read this, "Pull yourself together, Job! Up on your feet! Stand tall! I have some questions for you, and I want some straight answers. Where were you when I created the earth? Tell me, since you know so much! Who decided its size? Certainly you'll know that!"
Now that may be more of a paraphrase than a direct translation, but it sure is clear. God was telling Job to steel himself for some blockbuster questions.
I kind of like some of the unusual renderings in this Bible so I downloaded it.
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