« | Job 17 | » |
1 "My spirit is broken. My days are gone. The grave is ready for me.
2 For sure those with me make fun of me. My eyes see how they laugh at me.
3 "Promise that You will hear me. Who is there that will trust me?
4 For You have kept their heart from understanding, so You will not honor them.
5 If one speaks against friends to get money, the eyes of his children also will become weak.
6 "But He has made me an object of shame to the people. Men spit on me.
7 My eyes have become weak with sorrow. All the parts of my body are like a shadow.
8 Men who are right and good will be surprised and afraid at this. He who is without guilt will be moved to go against the sinful.
9 But the one who is right with God will hold to his way. And he who has clean hands will become stronger and stronger.
10 But all of you try again, and I will not find a wise man among you.
11 My days are past. My plans are torn apart, even the wishes of my heart.
12 They make night into day, saying, 'The light is near,' when there is darkness.
13 If I look for the place of the dead as my home, I make my bed in the darkness.
14 If I say to the grave, 'You are my father,' and to the worm, 'My mother and my sister,'
15 then where is my hope? Who sees hope for me?
16 Will it go down with me to the place of the dead? Will we go down together into the dust?"
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.