« | 1 Timothy 3 | » |
1 It is true that if a man wants to be a church leader, he wants to do a good work.
2 A church leader must be a good man. His life must be so no one can say anything against him. He must have only one wife and must be respected for his good living. He must be willing to take people into his home. He must be willing to learn and able to teach the Word of God.
3 He must not get drunk or want to fight. Instead, he must be gentle. He must not have a love for money.
4 He should be a good leader in his own home. His children must obey and respect him.
5 If a man cannot be a good leader in his own home, how can he lead the church?
6 A church leader must not be a new Christian. A new Christian might become proud and fall into sin which is brought on by the devil.
7 A church leader must be respected by people who are not Christians so nothing can be said against him. In that way, he will not be trapped by the devil.
8 Church helpers must also be good men and act so people will respect them. They must speak the truth. They must not get drunk. They must not have a love for money.
9 They must have their faith in Christ and be His follower with a heart that says they are right.
10 They must first be tested to see if they are ready for the work as church helpers. Then if they do well, they may be chosen as church helpers.
11 The wives of church helpers must be careful how they act. They must not carry stories from one person to another. They must be wise and faithful in all they do.
12 Church helpers must have only one wife. They must lead their home well and their children must obey them.
13 Those who work well as church helpers will be respected by others and their own faith in Christ Jesus will grow.
14 I hope to come to you soon. I am writing these things
15 because it may be awhile before I get there. I wanted you to know how you should act among people in the church which is the house of the living God. The church holds up the truth.
16 It is important to know the secret of Godlike living, which is: Christ came to earth as a Man. He was pure in His Spirit. He was seen by angels. The nations heard about Him. Men everywhere put their trust in Him. He was taken up into heaven.
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.