« | Genesis 23 | » |
1 Sarah lived to be one hundred twenty-seven years old.
2 She died in Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. Abraham was very sad and cried because of her.
3 After a while he got up from the side of his wife's body and went to talk to the Hittites. He said,
4 "I am only a stranger and a foreigner here. Sell me some of your land so that I can bury my dead wife."
5 The Hittites answered Abraham,
6 "Sir, you are a great leader among us. You may have the best place we have to bury your dead. You may have any of our burying places that you want, and none of us will stop you from burying your dead wife."
7 Abraham rose and bowed to the people of the land, the Hittites.
8 He said to them, "If you truly want to help me bury my dead wife here, speak to Ephron, the son of Zohar for me.
9 Ask him to sell me the cave of Machpelah at the edge of his field. I will pay him the full price. You can be the witnesses that I am buying it as a burial place."
10 Ephron was sitting among the Hittites at the city gate. He answered Abraham,
11 "No, sir. I will give you the land and the cave that is in it, with these people as witnesses. Bury your dead wife."
12 Then Abraham bowed down before the Hittites.
13 He said to Ephron before all the people, "Please let me pay you the full price for the field. Accept my money, and I will bury my dead there."
14 Ephron answered Abraham,
15 "Sir, the land is worth ten pounds of silver, but I won't argue with you over the price. Take the land, and bury your dead wife."
16 Abraham agreed and paid Ephron in front of the Hittite witnesses. He weighed out the full price, ten pounds of silver, and they counted the weight as the traders normally did.
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.