« | James 3 | » |
1 My Christian brothers, not many of you should become teachers. If we do wrong, it will be held against us more than other people who are not teachers.
2 We all make many mistakes. If anyone does not make a mistake with his tongue by saying the wrong things, he is a perfect man. It shows he is able to make his body do what he wants it to do.
3 We make a horse go wherever we want it to go by a small bit in its mouth. We turn its whole body by this.
4 Sailing ships are driven by strong winds. But a small rudder turns a large ship whatever way the man at the wheel wants the ship to go.
5 The tongue is also a small part of the body, but it can speak big things. See how a very small fire can set many trees on fire.
6 The tongue is a fire. It is full of wrong. It poisons the whole body. The tongue sets our whole lives on fire with a fire that comes from hell.
7 Men can make all kinds of animals and birds and fish and snakes do what they want them to do.
8 But no man can make his tongue say what he wants it to say. It is sinful and does not rest. It is full of poison that kills.
9 With our tongue we give thanks to our Father in heaven. And with our tongue we speak bad words against men who are made like God.
10 Giving thanks and speaking bad words come from the same mouth. My Christian brothers, this is not right!
11 Does a well of water give good water and bad water from the same place?
12 Can a fig tree give olives or can a grape-vine give figs? A well does not give both good water and bad water.
13 Who among you is wise and understands? Let that one show from a good life by the things he does that he is wise and gentle.
14 If you have jealousy in your heart and fight to have many things, do not be proud of it. Do not lie against the truth.
15 This is not the kind of wisdom that comes from God. But this wisdom comes from the world and from that which is not Christian and from the devil.
16 Wherever you find jealousy and fighting, there will be trouble and every other kind of wrong-doing.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. Then it gives peace. It is gentle and willing to obey. It is full of loving-kindness and of doing good. It has no doubts and does not pretend to be something it is not.
18 Those who plant seeds of peace will gather what is right and good.
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.