« | Genesis 12 | » |
1 The Lord said to Abram, "Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land I will show you.
2 I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you. I will make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.
3 I will bless those who bless you, and I will place a curse on those who harm you. And all the people on earth will be blessed through you."
4 So Abram left Haran as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. At this time Abram was 75 years old.
5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and everything they owned, as well as all the servants they had gotten in Haran. They set out from Haran, planning to go to the land of Canaan, and in time they arrived there.
6 Abram traveled through that land as far as the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. The Canaanites were living in the land at that time.
7 The Lord appeared to Abram and said, "I will give this land to your descendants." So Abram built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him.
8 Then he traveled from Shechem to the mountain east of Bethel and set up his tent there. Bethel was to the west, and Ai was to the east. There Abram built another altar to the Lord and worshiped him.
9 After this, he traveled on toward southern Canaan.
10 At this time there was not much food in the land, so Abram went down to Egypt to live because there was so little food.
11 Just before they arrived in Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, "I know you are a very beautiful woman.
12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'This woman is his wife.' Then they will kill me but let you live.
13 Tell them you are my sister so that things will go well with me and I may be allowed to live because of you."
14 When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was very beautiful.
15 The Egyptian officers saw her and told the king of Egypt how beautiful she was. They took her to the king's palace, and
16 the king was kind to Abram because he thought Abram was her brother. He gave Abram sheep, cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.
17 But the Lord sent terrible diseases on the king and all the people in his house because of Abram's wife Sarai.
18 So the king sent for Abram and said, "What have you done to me? Why didn't you tell me Sarai was your wife?
19 Why did you say, 'She is my sister' so that I made her my wife? Now, here is your wife. Take her and leave!"
20 Then the king commanded his men to make Abram leave Egypt; so Abram and his wife left with everything they owned.
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.