« | 1 Corinthians 3 | » |
1 Brothers and sisters, in the past I could not talk to you as I talk to spir- itual people. I had to talk to you as I would to people without the Spirit -- babies in Christ.
2 The teaching I gave you was like milk, not solid food, because you were not able to take solid food. And even now you are not ready.
3 You are still not spiritual, because there is jealousy and quarreling among you, and this shows that you are not spiritual. You are acting like people of the world.
4 One of you says, "I belong to Paul," and another says, "I belong to Apollos." When you say things like this, you are acting like people of the world.
5 Is Apollos important? No! Is Paul important? No! We are only servants of God who helped you believe. Each one of us did the work God gave us to do.
6 I planted the seed, and Apollos watered it. But God is the One who made it grow.
7 So the one who plants is not important, and the one who waters is not important. Only God, who makes things grow, is important.
8 The one who plants and the one who waters have the same purpose, and each will be rewarded for his own work.
9 We are God's workers, working together; you are like God's farm, God's house.
10 Using the gift God gave me, I laid the foundation of that house like an expert builder. Others are building on that foundation, but all peo- ple should be careful how they build on it.
11 The foundation that has already been laid is Jesus Christ, and no one can lay down any other foundation.
12 But if people build on that foundation, using gold, silver, jewels, wood, grass, or straw,
13 their work will be clearly seen, because the Day of Judgmentn will make it visible. That Day will appear with fire, and the fire will test everyone's work to show what sort of work it was.
14 If the building that has been put on the foundation still stands, the builder will get a reward.
15 But if the building is burned up, the builder will suffer loss. The builder will be saved, but it will be as one who escaped from a fire.
16 Don't you know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?
17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person, because God's temple is holy and you are that temple.
18 Do not fool yourselves. If you think you are wise in this world, you should become a fool so that you can become truly wise,
19 because the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. It is written in the Scriptures, "He catches those who are wise in their own clever traps."
20 It is also written in the Scriptures, "The Lord knows what wise people think. He knows their thoughts are just a puff of wind."
21 So you should not brag about human leaders. All things belong to you:
22 Paul, Apollos, and Peter; the world, life, death, the present, and the future -- all these belong to you.
23 And you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
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.