Habakkuk 1 | » |
1 This is the special word which Habakkuk the man of God saw.
2 O Lord, how long must I call for help before You will hear? I cry out to You, "We are being hurt!" But You do not save us.
3 Why do you make me see sins and wrong-doing? People are being destroyed in anger in front of me. There is arguing and fighting.
4 The Law is not followed. What is right is never done. For the sinful are all around those who are right and good, so what is right looks like sin.
5 "Look among the nations, and see! Be surprised and full of wonder! For I am doing something in your days that you would not believe if you were told.
6 I am bringing the Babylonians to power. They are people filled with anger who go across the whole earth to take homes that are not theirs.
7 They fill others with fear. They make their own law about what is fair and honored.
8 Their horses are faster than leopards, and show less pity than wolves in the evening. Their horsemen come on running horses from far away. They fly like an eagle coming down to get food.
9 They all come in anger. Their armies move like the desert wind. They gather prisoners like sand.
10 They make fun of kings and laugh at rulers. They laugh at every strong city and build a battle-wall to take it.
11 Then they move through like the wind and keep going. They are guilty men, whose strength is their god."
12 Have You not lived forever, O Lord, my God, my Holy One? We will not die. O Lord, You have chosen them to judge. You, O Rock, have chosen them to punish us.
13 Your eyes are too pure to look at sin. You cannot look on wrong. Why then do You look with favor on those who do wrong? Why are You quiet when the sinful destroy those who are more right and good than they?
14 Why have You made men like the fish of the sea, like things which move along the ground that have no ruler?
15 The Babylonians bring all of them up with a hook, and pull them away with their net. They gather them together in their fishing net, and so they have joy and are glad.
16 So they give gifts in worship to their net. They burn special perfume to their fishing net, because their net catches all the good things and good food they need.
17 Will they empty their net forever and keep on destroying nations without pity?
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.