« | Hebrews 12 | » |
1 We have around us many people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back.
2 Let us look only to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect. He suffered death on the cross. But he accepted the shame as if it were nothing because of the joy that God put before him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God's throne.
3 Think about Jesus' example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him. So do not get tired and stop trying.
4 You are struggling against sin, but your struggles have not yet caused you to be killed.
5 You have forgotten the encouraging words that call you his children: "My child, don't think the Lord's discipline is worth nothing, and don't stop trying when he corrects you.
6 The Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as his child."
7 So hold on through your sufferings, because they are like a father's discipline. God is treating you as children. All children are disciplined by their fathers.
8 If you are never disciplined (and every child must be disciplined), you are not true children.
9 We have all had fathers here on earth who disciplined us, and we respected them. So it is even more important that we accept discipline from the Father of our spirits so we will have life.
10 Our fathers on earth disciplined us for a short time in the way they thought was best. But God disciplines us to help us, so we can become holy as he is.
11 We do not enjoy being disciplined. It is painful, but later, after we have learned from it, we have peace, because we start living in the right way.
12 You have become weak, so make yourselves strong again.
13 Live in the right way so that you will be saved and your weakness will not cause you to be lost.
14 Try to live in peace with all people, and try to live free from sin. Anyone whose life is not holy will never see the Lord.
15 Be careful that no one fails to receive God's grace and begins to cause trouble among you. A person like that can ruin many of you.
16 Be careful that no one takes part in sexual sin or is like Esau and never thinks about God. As the oldest son, Esau would have received everything from his father, but he sold all that for a single meal.
17 You remember that after Esau did this, he wanted to get his father's blessing, but his father refused. Esau could find no way to change what he had done, even though he wanted the blessing so much that he cried.
18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire. You have not come to darkness, sadness, and storms.
19 You have not come to the noise of a trumpet or to the sound of a voice like the one the people of Israel heard and begged not to hear another word.
20 They did not want to hear the command: "If anything, even an animal, touches the mountain, it must be put to death with stones."
21 What they saw was so terrible that Moses said, "I am shaking with fear."
22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands of angels gathered together with joy.
23 You have come to the meeting of God's firstbornn children whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all people, and to the spirits of good people who have been made perfect.
24 You have come to Jesus, the One who brought the new agreement from God to his people, and you have come to the sprinkled bloodn that has a better message than the blood of Abel.
25 So be careful and do not refuse to listen when God speaks. Others refused to listen to him when he warned them on earth, and they did not escape. So it will be worse for us if we refuse to listen to God who warns us from heaven.
26 When he spoke before, his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once again I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens."
27 The words "once again" clearly show us that everything that was made -- things that can be shaken -- will be destroyed. Only the things that cannot be shaken will remain.
28 So let us be thankful, because we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken. We should worship God in a way that pleases him with respect and fear,
29 because our God is like a fire that burns things up.
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.