« | Genesis 17 | » |
1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty. Obey me and do what is right.
2 I will make an agreement between us, and I will make you the ancestor of many people."
3 Then Abram bowed facedown on the ground. God said to him,
4 "I am making my agreement with you: I will make you the father of many nations.
5 I am changing your name from Abramn to Abrahamnbecause I am making you a father of many nations.
6 I will give you many descendants. New nations will be born from you, and kings will come from you.
7 And I will make an agreement between me and you and all your descendants from now on: I will be your God and the God of all your descendants.
8 You live in the land of Canaan now as a stranger, but I will give you and your descendants all this land forever. And I will be the God of your descendants."
9 Then God said to Abraham, "You and your descendants must keep this agreement from now on.
10 This is my agreement with you and all your descendants, which you must obey: Every male among you must be circumcised.
11 Cut away your foreskin to show that you are prepared to follow the agreement between me and you.
12 From now on when a baby boy is eight days old, you will circumcise him. This includes any boy born among your people or any who is your slave, who is not one of your descendants.
13 Circumcise every baby boy whether he is born in your family or bought as a slave. Your bodies will be marked to show that you are part of my agreement that lasts forever.
14 Any male who is not circumcised will be cut off from his people, because he has broken my agreement."
15 God said to Abraham, "I will change the name of Sarai, your wife, to Sarah.
16 I will bless her and give her a son, and you will be the father. She will be the mother of many nations. Kings of nations will come from her."
17 Abraham bowed facedown on the ground and laughed. He said to himself, "Can a man have a child when he is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth to a child when she is ninety?"
18 Then Abraham said to God, "Please let Ishmael be the son you promised."
19 God said, "No, Sarah your wife will have a son, and you will name him Isaac. I will make my agreement with him to be an agreement that continues forever with all his descendants.
20 "As for Ishmael, I have heard you. I will bless him and give him many descendants. And I will cause their numbers to grow greatly. He will be the father of twelve great leaders, and I will make him into a great nation.
21 But I will make my agreement with Isaac, the son whom Sarah will have at this same time next year."
22 After God finished talking with Abraham, God rose and left him.
23 Then Abraham gathered Ishmael, all the males born in his camp, and the slaves he had bought. So that day Abraham circumcised every man and boy in his camp as God had told him to do.
24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised.
25 And Ishmael, his son, was thirteen years old when he was circumcised.
26 Abraham and his son were circumcised on the same day.
27 Also on that day all the men in Abraham's camp were circumcised, including all those born in his camp and all the slaves he had bought from other nations.
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.