« | 2 Thessalonians 3 |
1 My last words to you, Christian brothers, are that you pray for us. Pray that the Word of the Lord will go out over all the land and prove its power just as it did with you.
2 Pray that we will be kept from sinful men, because not all men are Christians.
3 But the Lord is faithful. He will give you strength and keep you safe from the devil.
4 We have faith in the Lord for you. We believe you are doing and will keep on doing the things we told you.
5 May the Lord lead your hearts into the love of God. May He help you as you wait for Christ.
6 Now this is what we tell you to do, Christian brothers. In the name of the Lord Jesus, keep away from any Christian who is lazy and who does not do what we taught you.
7 You know you should follow the way of life we lived when we were with you. We worked hard while we were there.
8 We did not eat anyone's food without paying for it. We worked hard night and day so none of you would have to give us anything.
9 We could have asked you to give us food. But we did not so that you might follow our way of living.
10 When we were with you, we told you that if a man does not work, he should not eat.
11 We hear that some are not working. But they are spending their time trying to see what others are doing.
12 Our words to such people are that they should be quiet and go to work. They should eat their own food. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we say this.
13 But you, Christian brothers, do not get tired of doing good.
14 If anyone does not want to listen to what we say in this letter, remember who he is and stay away from him. In that way, he will be put to shame.
15 Do not think of him as one who hates you. But talk to him as a Christian brother.
16 May the Lord of peace give you His peace at all times. The Lord be with you all.
17 I, Paul, write this last part with my own hand. It is the way I finish all my letters.
18 May all of you have loving-favor from our Lord Jesus Christ.
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.