« | Job 10 | » |
1 "I hate my life. I will be free in my complaining. I will show how bitter I am in my soul when I speak.
2 I will say to God, 'Do not say that I am guilty and punish me. Let me know why You work against me.
3 Do You think it is right for You to make it hard for me, to turn away from the work of Your hands and favor the plans of the sinful?
4 Do You have eyes of flesh? Do You see as a man sees?
5 Are Your days as the days of man, or Your years as man's years,
6 that You should look for my wrongdoing and my sin?
7 You know that I am not guilty, yet there is no one who can take me away from Your hand.
8 'Your hands put me together and made me, and now would You destroy me?
9 Remember that You have made me as clay. Would You turn me into dust again?
10 Did You not pour me out like milk and make me become hard like cheese?
11 You have given me clothing of skin and flesh, and have tied me together with bones and cord.
12 You have given me life and loving-kindness. Your care has kept my spirit alive.
13 Yet You have hidden these things in Your heart. I know that this is in Your thoughts.
14 If I sin, You would see me, and would not free me from my guilt.
15 If I am sinful, it would be bad for me! If I am right and good, I cannot lift my head for I am filled with shame and see all my trouble.
16 If I would lift up my head, You would hunt me like a lion. Again You would show Your power against me.
17 You would send new ones who would speak against me, and become more angry with me. You would send me more and more trouble.
18 'Why then did You let me be born? If only I had died and no one had seen me!
19 I should have been as if I had never lived, carried from my mother to the grave.'
20 Are not my days few? Leave me alone, that I may find a little comfort
21 before I go to a place from which I will not return. I will go to the land of darkness and shadow.
22 It is the land of complete darkness and shadow and trouble, where the light is darkness."
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.