« | Job 16 | » |
1 Then Job answered,
2 "I have heard many such things. All of you bring trouble instead of comfort.
3 Is there no end to your words that are full of wind? What is your problem that you keep on talking?
4 I also could speak like you, if I were in your place. I could put words together against you, and shake my head at you.
5 I could give you strength with my mouth. I could speak words of comfort and make your pain less.
6 "If I speak, my pain is not made less. And if I keep quiet, it does not leave me.
7 But now God has taken away my strength. He has taken away all my family.
8 He has made me dry up, and this speaks against me. The wasting away of my body rises up against me. It speaks against me to my face.
9 His anger has torn me and hated me. He has ground His teeth at me. The one against me looks hard at me.
10 Men have looked at me with their mouths open. They have hit me on the face with anger. They have gathered together against me.
11 God gives me over to bad men. He throws me into the hands of the sinful.
12 I was living in comfort, but He has taken that away. He has taken hold of me by the neck and shaken me to pieces. He has set me up for something to shoot at.
13 His arrows are all around me. He cuts my kidneys open without pity. He pours the bitter insides on the ground.
14 He hurts me again and again. He runs at me like a man of war.
15 I have sewed cloth made from hair over my skin, and have laid my hope in the dust.
16 My face is red from crying, and darkness is over my eyes.
17 But my hands have done nothing bad, and my prayer is pure.
18 "O earth, do not cover my blood. Let my cry have no place to rest.
19 See, even now there is One Who sees me from heaven. The One Who speaks for me is on high.
20 My friends make fun of me. My eyes pour out tears to God.
21 If only a man could give reasons to God, as a man does for his neighbor!
22 In a few years I will go the way that I cannot return.
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.