« | Hebrews 6 | » |
1 So let us leave the first things you need to know about Christ. Let us go on to the teaching that full-grown Christians should understand. We do not need to teach these first truths again. You already know that you must be sorry for your sins and turn from them. You know that you must have faith in God.
2 You know about being baptized and about putting hands on people. You know about being raised from the dead and about being punished forever.
3 We will go on, if God lets us.
4 There are those who have known the truth. They have received the gift from heaven. They have shared the Holy Spirit.
5 They know how good the Word of God is. They know of the powers of the world to come.
6 But if they turn away, they cannot be sorry for their sins and turn from them again. It is because they are nailing the Son of God on a cross again. They are holding Him up in shame in front of all people.
7 It is the same with a piece of ground that has had many rains fall on it. God makes it possible for that ground to give good fruits and vegetables.
8 But if it gives nothing but weeds, it is worth nothing. It will be hated and destroyed by fire.
9 Dear friends, even as we tell you this, we are sure of better things for you. These things go along with being saved from the punishment of sin.
10 God always does what is right. He will not forget the work you did to help the Christians and the work you are still doing to help them. This shows your love for Christ.
11 We want each one of you to keep on working to the end. Then what you hope for, will happen.
12 Do not be lazy. Be like those who have faith and have not given up. They will receive what God has promised them.
13 When God made a promise to Abraham, He made that promise in His own name because no one was greater.
14 He said, "I will make you happy in so many ways. For sure, I will give you many children." (Genesis 22:16-17)
15 Abraham was willing to wait and God gave to him what He had promised.
16 When men make a promise, they use a name greater than themselves. They do this to make sure they will do what they promise. In this way, no one argues about it.
17 And so God made a promise. He wanted to show Abraham that He would never change His mind. So He made the promise in His own name.
18 God gave these two things that cannot be changed and God cannot lie. We who have turned to Him can have great comfort knowing that He will do what He has promised.
19 This hope is a safe anchor for our souls. It will never move. This hope goes into the Holiest Place of All behind the curtain of heaven.
20 Jesus has already gone there. He has become our Religious Leader forever and has made the way for man to go to God. He is like Melchizedek.
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.