« | Job 31 | » |
1 "I have made an agreement with my eyes not to look with desire at a young woman.
2 What would be my share from God above? What would my gift be from the All-powerful on high?
3 Does not trouble come to those who are not right and good? Do not hard times come to those who do wrong?
4 Does He not see my ways and number all my steps?
5 "If I have walked in ways that are false, and my foot has been quick to follow false ways,
6 let Him weigh me with a true weight. Let God know that I am honest.
7 If my step has turned from the way, and my heart has followed my eyes, or if my hands have held on to sin,
8 then let me plant and another eat. Let what grows be pulled out by the roots.
9 "If my heart has been tempted by a woman, or I have waited at my neighbor's door,
10 may my wife grind grain for another. And let others bow down upon her.
11 For that would be a very sinful thing to do. It would be a sin that would be punished by the judges.
12 For that would be a fire that burns at the Place That Destroys. It would dig out all I have planted.
13 "If I did not listen to my men servants and women servants when they complained against me,
14 what will I do when God speaks to me? When He asks me why, what will I answer Him?
15 Did not He Who made me inside my mother make him also? Did not the same One give us life from our mothers?
16 "If I have kept what the poor should have or have caused the eyes of the woman whose husband has died to be tired,
17 if I have eaten my food alone without sharing it with the child who has no parents,
18 (but from the time I was young, he grew up with me as a father, and I have helped the woman without a husband since I was born,)
19 if I have seen anyone die because he had no clothing, or left any poor person without clothes,
20 if he has not thanked me for the clothing on his body, and been made warm with the wool of my sheep,
21 if I have not done these things, or if I have lifted up my hand against the child who has no parents, because I saw I had help in the gate,
22 let my shoulder fall out of place, and let my arm be broken off at the joint.
23 For trouble sent by God fills me with fear. Because of His great power I could not do these things.
24 "If I have put my faith in gold and said fine gold is my trust,
25 if I have had pride because of my many riches and have received much by my hand,
26 if I have looked at the sun shining or the bright moon going on its way,
27 and have in secret worshiped them in my heart, and have honored them by throwing them a kiss with my hand,
28 these also would be sins to be judged. It would say I did not know the God above.
29 "Have I been glad when a person who hated me was destroyed? Have I been filled with joy when trouble came to him?
30 No, I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking his life to be cursed.
31 Have the men of my tent not said, 'Who can find one who has not been filled with his meat'?
32 The stranger has not stayed in the street, for I have opened my doors to the traveler.
33 Have I hidden my sins like Adam? Have I hidden my wrong-doing in my heart,
34 because I was afraid of all the people, and of families who hated me? Did I keep quiet and not go out of the door?
35 If only I had one to hear me! See, here my name is written. Let the All-powerful answer me! May what is against me be written down!
36 For sure I would carry it on my shoulder. I would tie it around my head like a crown.
37 I would tell Him the number of my every step. I would come near Him like a prince.
38 "If my land cries out against me and the ditches made by the plow cry together,
39 if I have eaten its fruit without paying for it, and caused its owners to die,
40 let thorns grow instead of grain. And let weeds with a bad smell grow instead of barley."
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.