« | Galatians 4 | » |
1 I want to tell you this: While those who will inherit their fathers' prop- erty are still children, they are no different from slaves. It does not matter that the children own everything.
2 While they are children, they must obey those who are chosen to care for them. But when the children reach the age set by their fathers, they are free.
3 It is the same for us. We were once like children, slaves to the useless rules of this world.
4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son who was born of a woman and lived under the law.
5 God did this so he could buy freedom for those who were under the law and so we could become his children.
6 Since you are God's children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, and the Spirit cries out, "Father."
7 So now you are not a slave; you are God's child, and God will give you the blessing he promised, because you are his child.
8 In the past you did not know God. You were slaves to gods that were not real.
9 But now you know the true God. Really, it is God who knows you. So why do you turn back to those weak and useless rules you followed before? Do you want to be slaves to those things again?
10 You still follow teachings about special days, months, seasons, and years.
11 I am afraid for you, that my work for you has been wasted.
12 Brothers and sisters, I became like you, so I beg you to become like me. You were very good to me before.
13 You remember that it was because of an illness that I came to you the first time, preaching the Good News.
14 Though my sickness was a trouble for you, you did not hate me or make me leave. But you welcomed me as an angel from God, as if I were Jesus Christ himself!
15 You were very happy then, but where is that joy now? I am ready to testify that you would have taken out your eyes and given them to me if that were possible.
16 Now am I your enemy because I tell you the truth?
17 Those peoplen are working hard to persuade you, but this is not good for you. They want to persuade you to turn against us and follow only them.
18 It is good for people to show interest in you, but only if their purpose is good. This is always true, not just when I am with you.
19 My little children, again I feel the pain of childbirth for you until you truly become like Christ.
20 I wish I could be with you now and could change the way I am talking to you, because I do not know what to think about you.
21 Some of you still want to be under the law. Tell me, do you know what the law says?
22 The Scriptures say that Abraham had two sons. The mother of one son was a slave woman, and the mother of the other son was a free woman.
23 Abraham's son from the slave woman was born in the normal human way. But the son from the free woman was born because of the promise God made to Abraham.
24 This story teaches something else: The two women are like the two agreements between God and his people. One agreement is the law that God made on Mount Sinai, and the people who are under this agreement are like slaves. The mother named Hagar is like that agreement.
25 She is like Mount Sinai in Arabia and is a picture of the earthly Jewish city of Jerusalem. This city and its people, the Jews, are slaves to the law.
26 But the heavenly Jerusalem, which is above, is like the free woman. She is our mother.
27 It is written in the Scriptures: "Be happy, Jerusalem. You are like a woman who never gave birth to children. Start singing and shout for joy. You never felt the pain of giving birth, but you will have more children than the woman who has a husband."
28 My brothers and sisters, you are God's children because of his promise, as Isaac was then.
29 The son who was born in the normal way treated the other son badly. It is the same today.
30 But what does the Scripture say? "Throw out the slave woman and her son. The son of the slave woman should not inherit anything. The son of the free woman should receive it all."
31 So, my brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.
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.