« | 1 Corinthians 16 |
1 I want to tell you what to do about the money you are gathering for the Christians. Do the same as I told the churches in the country of Galatia to do.
2 On the first day of every week each of you should put aside some of your money. Give a certain part of what you have earned. Keep it there because I do not want money gathered when I come.
3 When I get there, I will give letters to the men you want to send. They will take your gift to Jerusalem.
4 If I can go, they can go with me.
5 I want to visit you after I have gone through the country of Macedonia for I am going through there.
6 I may be staying with you and even spend the winter with you. Then you can send me on my way to the next place.
7 I do not want to stop now. I want to spend some time with you when I can stay longer, if that is what the Lord wants.
8 I will stay in the city of Ephesus until the special day to remember how the Holy Spirit came on the church.
9 A wide door has been opened to me here to preach the Good News. But there are many who work against me.
10 If Timothy comes, receive him and help him so he will not be afraid. He is working for the Lord as I am.
11 Everyone should respect him. Send him on his way to me in peace. I expect to see him and some of the other Christians soon.
12 I wanted brother Apollos to go with the other Christians to visit you. But he is not sure he should go now. He will come when he can.
13 Watch and keep awake! Stand true to the Lord. Keep on acting like men and be strong.
14 Everything you do should be done in love.
15 You know that the families of Stephanas were the first Christians in the country of Greece. They are working for the Lord in helping His people.
16 I ask you to listen to leaders like these and work with them as well as others like them.
17 I am happy that Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus came here. They have helped me and you would have also if you had been here.
18 They have made me happy. They would have made you happy also. Show them you are thankful for their help.
19 The churches in the countries of Asia say hello. Aquila and Priscilla and the Christians who meet in their house say hello with Christian love.
20 All the Christians here say hello to you. Say hello to each other with a kiss of holy love.
21 I, Paul, am writing the last part of this letter with my own hand.
22 If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be kept from being with Christ. The Lord is coming soon!
23 May you have the loving-favor of our Lord Jesus.
24 I love you all through Christ Jesus. Let it be so.
The New Life Version (NLV)
The New Life Version (NLV) is a unique English translation of the Bible designed to be exceptionally easy to read and understand. First published in 1969, the NLV was created by Gleason Ledyard, a missionary and linguist, to make the Scriptures accessible to people who have limited English proficiency or are new to the language. Ledyard’s aim was to provide a Bible that even those with minimal education could read and comprehend, thus opening the door for a wider audience to engage with the biblical texts.
A defining characteristic of the New Life Version is its use of a limited vocabulary of about 850 basic English words, along with some necessary theological terms. This restricted vocabulary ensures that the language remains simple and straightforward, making the text accessible to young readers, new Christians, and those for whom English is a second language. The translators also avoided idiomatic expressions and complex sentence structures, further enhancing clarity and understanding. This makes the NLV a particularly valuable resource for educational and missionary work.
The NLV also emphasizes faithfulness to the original texts, despite its simplified language. The translation aims to maintain the integrity and message of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts. By carefully choosing words that accurately convey the meaning of the original texts while ensuring simplicity, the NLV provides a balance between accessibility and fidelity. Additionally, the NLV includes explanatory footnotes and cross-references that help readers understand the context and deeper meanings of the passages, making it a useful tool for both personal study and group teaching.
However, the New Life Version is not without its critics. Some scholars and traditionalists argue that the limited vocabulary and simplified language can lead to a loss of nuance and depth found in the original texts. They suggest that the NLV’s focus on simplicity may sometimes oversimplify complex theological concepts. Despite these criticisms, the New Life Version remains a valuable translation for its intended audience, offering a clear and approachable rendition of the Bible that helps a wide range of readers engage with the Scriptures and grow in their faith.