« | Genesis 40 | » |
1 Some time later, the man who carried the king's cup and the man who made the king's bread did wrong against the king of Egypt.
2 Pharaoh was angry with these two important men, the head cup-carrier and the head bread-maker.
3 So he put them in prison under the care of the head of the soldiers, the same place where Joseph was in prison.
4 The head of the soldiers had Joseph watch over them. He took care of them, and they were in prison for a long time.
5 One night both the cup-carrier and the bread-maker of the king of Egypt had a dream while they were in prison. Each man had his own dream, and each dream had its own meaning.
6 When Joseph came in and looked at them in the morning, he saw that they were sad.
7 So he asked these men who had worked for Pharaoh and who were with him in prison in his boss's house, "Why are your faces so sad today?"
8 They said to him, "We have had a dream and there is no one to tell us what it means." Then Joseph said to them, "Do not the meanings of dreams belong to God? Tell them to me."
9 So the head cup-carrier told his dream to Joseph. He said, "In my dream, there was a vine in front of me.
10 And there were three branches on the vine. Then its flowers grew out. From the many flowers came grapes ready to eat.
11 Pharaoh's cup was in my hand. So I took the grapes and made wine from them and poured it into Pharaoh's cup. And I put the cup into Pharaoh's hand."
12 Then Joseph said to him, "This is the meaning of it: The three branches are three days.
13 Before three days are over, Pharaoh will give you honor and return you to your place of work. You will put Pharaoh's cup into his hand just like you did before when you were his cup-carrier.
14 But remember me when it is well with you, and show me kindness. Say a good word about me to Pharaoh. Get me out of this prison.
15 For I was stolen from the land of the Hebrews. And here also I have done nothing for which they should put me in prison."
16 The head bread-maker saw that the meaning of the dream was good. He said to Joseph, "I had a dream also. There were three baskets of white bread on my head.
17 All kinds of food for Pharaoh were in the top basket. But the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head."
18 Then Joseph answered, "This is the meaning of it: The three baskets are three days.
19 Within three days, Pharaoh will lift up your head from you and put your body up on a tree. And the birds will eat the flesh from you."
20 On the third day, Pharaoh's birthday, he made a special supper for his servants. He gave honor to the head cup-carrier and the head bread-maker among his servants.
21 He returned the head cup-carrier to his place of work and he put the cup into Pharaoh's hand.
22 But he killed the head bread-maker on a tree, just like Joseph had told them it would happen.
23 Yet the head cup-carrier did not remember Joseph. He forgot him.
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.