« | Acts 20 | » |
1 When the trouble stopped, Paul sent for the followers to come to him. After he encouraged them and then told them good-bye, he left and went to the country of Macedonia.
2 He said many things to strengthen the followers in the different places on his way through Macedonia. Then he went to Greece,
3 where he stayed for three months. He was ready to sail for Syria, but some Jews were planning something against him. So Paul decided to go back through Macedonia to Syria.
4 The men who went with him were Sopater son of Pyrrhus, from the city of Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus, from the city of Thessalonica; Gaius, from Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus, two men from the country of Asia.
5 These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas.
6 We sailed from Philippi after the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Five days later we met them in Troas, where we stayed for seven days.
7 On the first day of the week, we all met together to break bread, and Paul spoke to the group. Because he was planning to leave the next day, he kept on talking until midnight.
8 We were all together in a room upstairs, and there were many lamps in the room.
9 A young man named Eutychus was sitting in the window. As Paul continued talking, Eutychus was falling into a deep sleep. Finally, he went sound asleep and fell to the ground from the third floor. When they picked him up, he was dead.
10 Paul went down to Eutychus, knelt down, and put his arms around him. He said, "Don't worry. He is alive now."
11 Then Paul went upstairs again, broke bread, and ate. He spoke to them a long time, until it was early morning, and then he left.
12 They took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.
13 We went on ahead of Paul and sailed for the city of Assos, where he wanted to join us on the ship. Paul planned it this way because he wanted to go to Assos by land.
14 When he met us there, we took him aboard and went to Mitylene.
15 We sailed from Mitylene and the next day came to a place near Kios. The following day we sailed to Samos, and the next day we reached Miletus.
16 Paul had already decided not to stop at Ephesus, because he did not want to stay too long in the country of Asia. He was hurrying to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, if that were possible.
17 Now from Miletus Paul sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.
18 When they came to him, he said, "You know about my life from the first day I came to Asia. You know the way I lived all the time I was with you.
19 The Jews made plans against me, which troubled me very much. But you know I always served the Lord unselfishly, and I often cried.
20 You know I preached to you and did not hold back anything that would help you. You know that I taught you in public and in your homes.
21 I warned both Jews and Greeks to change their lives and turn to God and believe in our Lord Jesus.
22 But now I must obey the Holy Spirit and go to Jerusalem. I don't know what will happen to me there.
23 I know only that in every city the Holy Spirit tells me that troubles and even jail wait for me.
24 I don't care about my own life. The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me -- to tell people the Good News about God's grace.
25 "And now, I know that none of you among whom I was preaching the kingdom of God will ever see me again.
26 So today I tell you that if any of you should be lost, I am not responsible,
27 because I have told you everything God wants you to know.
28 Be careful for yourselves and for all the people the Holy Spirit has given to you to care for. You must be like shepherds to the church of God, which he bought with the death of his own son.
29 I know that after I leave, some people will come like wild wolves and try to destroy the flock.
30 Also, some from your own group will rise up and twist the truth and will lead away followers after them.
31 So be careful! Always remember that for three years, day and night, I never stopped warning each of you, and I often cried over you.
32 "Now I am putting you in the care of God and the message about his grace. It is able to give you strength, and it will give you the blessings God has for all his holy people.
33 When I was with you, I never wanted anyone's money or fine clothes.
34 You know I always worked to take care of my own needs and the needs of those who were with me.
35 I showed you in all things that you should work as I did and help the weak. I taught you to remember the words Jesus said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
36 When Paul had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.
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.