« | Genesis 5 | » |
1 This is the book of the children of Adam and of their children's children. When God made man, He made him in the likeness of God.
2 He made them male and female, and brought good to them. And He gave them the name Man when they were made.
3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he gave birth to a son in his own likeness. And he gave him the name Seth.
4 Adam lived 800 years after he became the father of Seth. He had other sons and daughters.
5 So Adam lived 930 years, and he died.
6 When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father of Enosh.
7 Seth lived 807 years after the birth of Enosh. He had other sons and daughters.
8 So Seth lived 912 years, and he died.
9 When Enosh had lived ninety years, he became the father of Kenan.
10 Enosh lived 815 years after the birth of Kenan. He had other sons and daughters.
11 So Enosh lived 905 years, and he died.
12 When Kenan had lived seventy years, he became the father of Mahalalel.
13 Kenan lived 840 years after the birth of Mahalalel. He had other sons and daughters.
14 So Kenan lived 910 years, and he died.
15 When Mahalalel had lived sixty-five years, he became the father of Jared.
16 Mahalalel lived 830 years after the birth of Jared. He had other sons and daughters.
17 So Mahalalel lived 895 years, and he died.
18 When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch.
19 Jared lived 800 years after the birth of Enoch. He had other sons and daugh-ters.
20 So Jared lived 962 years, and he died.
21 When Enoch had lived sixty-five years, he became the father of Methuselah.
22 Enoch walked with God 300 years after the birth of Methuselah. He had other sons and daughters.
23 So Enoch lived 365 years.
24 Enoch walked with God, and he was seen no more, for God took him.
25 When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of La-mech.
26 Methuselah lived 782 years after the birth of Lamech. He had other sons and daughters.
27 So Methuselah lived 969 years, and he died.
28 When Lamech had lived 182 years, he became the father of a son.
29 He gave him the name Noah. He said, "This one will give us rest from our work, from the hard work of our hands because the ground was cursed by the Lord."
30 Lamech lived 595 years after the birth of Noah. He had other sons and daughters.
31 So Lamech lived 777 years, and he died.
32 When Noah had lived 500 years, he became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
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.