« | Hebrews 4 | » |
1 The same promise of going into God's rest is still for us. But we should be afraid that some of us may not be able to go in.
2 We have heard the Good News even as they did, but it did them no good because it was not mixed with faith.
3 We who have put our trust in God go into His rest. God said this of our early fathers, "I was angry and said, 'They will not go into My rest.' "(Psalm 95:11) And yet God's work was finished after He made the world.
4 In the Holy Writings He said this about the seventh day when He made the whole world, "God rested on the seventh day from all He had made." (Genesis 2:2)
5 But God said this about those who turned against Him, "They will not go into My rest." (Psalm 95:11)
6 Those who heard the Good News first did not go into His rest. It was because they had not obeyed Him. But the promise is still good and some are going into His rest.
7 God has again set a certain day for people to go into His rest. He says through David many years later as He had said before, "If you hear His voice today, do not let your hearts become hard." (Psalm 95:7-8)
8 If Joshua had led those people into God's rest, He would not have told of another day after that.
9 And so God's people have a complete rest waiting for them.
10 The man who goes into God's rest, rests from his own work the same as God rested from His work.
11 Let us do our best to go into that rest or we will be like the people who did not go in.
12 God's Word is living and powerful. It is sharper than a sword that cuts both ways. It cuts straight into where the soul and spirit meet and it divides them. It cuts into the joints and bones. It tells what the heart is thinking about and what it wants to do.
13 No one can hide from God. His eyes see everything we do. We must give an answer to God for what we have done.
14 We have a great Religious Leader Who has made the way for man to go to God. He is Jesus, the Son of God, Who has gone to heaven to be with God. Let us keep our trust in Jesus Christ.
15 Our Religious Leader understands how weak we are. Christ was tempted in every way we are tempted, but He did not sin.
16 Let us go with complete trust to the throne of God. We will receive His loving-kindness and have His loving-favor to help us whenever we need it.
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.