« | Job 19 | » |
1 Then Job answered,
2 "How long will you make me suffer and crush me with words?
3 Ten times you have put me to shame and are not ashamed to wrong me.
4 Even if it is true that I have done wrong, it stays with me.
5 You put yourselves up high against me, and try to prove my shame to me.
6 You will know then that God has wronged me, and has set a trap around me.
7 "See, I cry, 'Someone is hurting me!' but I get no answer. I call for help, but no one stands for what is right and fair.
8 He has built a wall in my way so that I cannot pass. And He has put darkness on my paths.
9 He has taken my honor from me, and taken the crown from my head.
10 He breaks me down on every side, and I am gone. He has pulled up my hope like a tree.
11 He has made His anger burn against me, and thinks of me as one who fights against Him.
12 His armies come together and build a path against me. They camp around my tent.
13 "He has taken my brothers far away from me and my friends have all left me.
14 My brothers have left me, and my close friends have forgotten me.
15 Those who live in my house and my women servants think of me as a stranger. I am like one from another country in their eyes.
16 I call to my servant, but he does not answer. I have to beg him.
17 My breath smells bad to my wife, and I am hated by my own brothers.
18 Even young children hate me. When I get up they speak against me.
19 All my friends hate me. Those I love have turned against me.
20 I am only skin and flesh. And I have gotten away only by the skin of my teeth.
21 Have pity on me. Have pity on me, O you my friends. For the hand of God has hit me.
22 Why do you make it hard for me as God does? Have I not suffered enough to please you?
23 "If only my words were written! If only they were written down in a book!
24 If only they were cut forever into the rock with an iron cutter and lead!
25 But as for me, I know that the One Who bought me and made me free from sin lives, and that He will stand upon the earth in the end.
26 Even after my skin is destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God.
27 I myself will see Him. With my own eyes I will see Him and not another. My heart becomes weak within me.
28 If you say, 'How will we make it hard for him?' and, 'The root of the problem is in him,'
29 you should be afraid of the sword for yourselves. For anger is punished by the sword, that you may know there is punishment for wrong-doing."
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.