Ecclesiastes 1 | » |
1 These are the words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
2 "It is of no use," says the Preacher. "It is of no use! All is for nothing."
3 What does a man get for all his work which he does under the sun?
4 People die and people are born, but the earth stays forever.
5 The sun rises and the sun sets, and travels in a hurry to the place where it rises.
6 The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north. It goes around and around, and returns again on its way.
7 All the rivers flow into the sea, yet the sea is not full. And they return again to the place from which the rivers flow.
8 All things are tiring. Man is not able to tell about them. The eye never has enough to see, and the ear is never filled with what it hears.
9 What has been is what will be. And what has been done is what will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.
10 Is there anything of which one might say, "See, this is new"? It has already been there since long before us.
11 No one remembers the things that happened before. And no one will remember the things that will happen in the future among those who will come later.
12 I, the Preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13 And I set my mind to look for wisdom to learn about all that has been done under heaven. It is a hard work which God has given to the sons of men to be troubled with.
14 I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun. And see, it is all for nothing. It is like trying to catch the wind.
15 What is not straight cannot be made straight. What is not there cannot be numbered.
16 I said to myself, "I have received more wisdom than all who were over Jerusalem before me. My mind has seen much wisdom and much learning."
17 And I set my mind to know wisdom and to know what is crazy and foolish. I saw that this also is like trying to catch the wind.
18 Because in much wisdom there is much trouble. And he who gets much learning gets much sorrow.
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.