« | Genesis 6 | » |
1 The number of people on earth began to grow, and daughters were born to them.
2 When the sons of God saw that these girls were beautiful, they married any of them they chose.
3 The Lord said, "My Spirit will not remain in human beings forever, because they are flesh. They will live only 120 years."
4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days and also later. That was when the sons of God had sexual relations with the daughters of human beings. These women gave birth to children, who became famous and were the mighty warriors of long ago.
5 The Lord saw that the human beings on the earth were very wicked and that everything they thought about was evil.
6 He was sorry he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.
7 So the Lord said, "I will destroy all human beings that I made on the earth. And I will destroy every animal and everything that crawls on the earth and the birds of the air, because I am sorry I have made them."
8 But Noah pleased the Lord.
9 This is the family history of Noah. Noah was a good man, the most innocent man of his time, and he walked with God.
10 He had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
11 People on earth did what God said was evil, and violence was everywhere.
12 When God saw that everyone on the earth did only evil,
13 he said to Noah, "Because people have made the earth full of violence, I will destroy all of them from the earth.
14 Build a boat of cypress wood for yourself. Make rooms in it and cover it inside and outside with tar.
15 This is how big I want you to build the boat: four hundred fifty feet long, seventy-five feet wide, and forty-five feet high.
16 Make an opening around the top of the boat that is eighteen inches high from the edge of the roof down. Put a door in the side of the boat. Make an upper, middle, and lower deck in it.
17 I will bring a flood of water on the earth to destroy all living things that live under the sky, including everything that has the breath of life. Everything on the earth will die.
18 But I will make an agreement with you -- you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives will all go into the boat.
19 Also, you must bring into the boat two of every living thing, male and female. Keep them alive with you.
20 Two of every kind of bird, animal, and crawling thing will come to you to be kept alive.
21 Also gather some of every kind of food and store it on the boat as food for you and the animals."
22 Noah did everything that God commanded him.
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.