« | Genesis 20 | » |
1 Abraham traveled from there to the land of the Negev, and made his home between Kadesh and Shur. Then he lived for a time in Gerar.
2 Abraham said about his wife Sarah, "She is my sister." So Abimelech king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her for his wife.
3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said, "See, you are a dead man because of the woman you have taken. For she is already married."
4 But Abimelech had not come near her. He said, "Lord, will You destroy a nation who is without blame?
5 Did the man not tell me, 'She is my sister'? And she, even she herself said, 'He is my brother.' I have done this with a heart of honor and with hands that are not guilty."
6 Then God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know that you have done this with a heart of honor. And I kept you from sinning against Me. I did not let you touch her.
7 So now return the man's wife. For he is one who speaks for Me. Then he will pray for you, and you will live. But if you do not return her, know that you and all who are yours will die for sure."
8 So Abimelech got up early in the morning. He called all his servants and told them all these things. And the men were very much afraid.
9 Then Abimelech called Abraham and said, "What have you done to us? What wrong have I done to you, that made you bring a great sin upon me and my nation? You have done to me what should not have been done."
10 Abimelech said to Abraham, "What made you do such a thing?"
11 Abraham said, "I did it because I thought there was no fear of God in this place. I thought they would kill me because of my wife.
12 And it is true she is my sister. She is the daughter of my father, but not of my mother. And she became my wife.
13 When God made me go from my father's house, I said to Sarah, 'This is the kindness you must show me. Everywhere we go, say of me, "He is my brother."'"
14 Then Abimelech gave to Abraham sheep and cattle, and men and women servants. And he returned his wife Sarah to him.
15 Abimelech said, "See, my land is in front of you. Make your home any place you want."
16 He said to Sarah, "See, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is to pay you for all that has happened. Your honor is made right in the eyes of all men."
17 So Abraham prayed to God. And God healed Abimelech, his wife and the women who served him, so that they gave birth to children.
18 For the Lord had stopped all births in the house of Abimelech because of Abraham's wife Sarah.
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.