« | Job 36 | » |
1 Then Elihu spoke more and said,
2 "Wait for me a little longer, and I will show you that there is yet more to be said for God.
3 I bring my learning from far away, and will tell how right and good my Maker is.
4 For sure my words are not false. One who is perfect in much learning is with you.
5 "See, God is powerful, but does not hate anyone. He is powerful in strength of understanding.
6 He does not keep the sinful alive, but gives what is right and fair to those who are troubled.
7 He does not turn His eyes away from those who are right with Him. He puts them on the throne with kings and they are honored forever.
8 If they are tied up in chains and caught in the ropes of trouble,
9 then He makes known to them their work and their sins, that they have shown pride.
10 He makes them listen to teaching, and tells them to turn away from sin.
11 If they hear and serve Him, the rest of their days will be filled with what they need and their years with peace.
12 But if they do not hear, they will die by the sword. They will die without learning.
13 "But those who do not know God keep anger in their heart. They do not cry for help when He puts them in chains.
14 They die when they are young. And their life ends among those who sell the use of their bodies in the houses of the false gods.
15 He takes those who suffer out of their suffering. He speaks to them in times of trouble.
16 He led you from being close to trouble to a wide place where you were free with your table full of food.
17 "But you wanted to punish the sinful. Punishment and being fair have taken hold of you.
18 Be careful or anger will tempt you to laugh at the truth. Do not take pay in secret for wrong-doing and be turned aside.
19 Will your riches or all your power keep you from trouble?
20 Do not desire the night, when people are taken from their place.
21 Be careful, do not turn to sin. For you have chosen this instead of suffering.
22 See, God is honored in His power. Who is a teacher like Him?
23 Who has told Him the way He should go? And who has said, 'You have done wrong'?
24 "Remember that you should honor His work, of which men have sung.
25 All men have seen it. Man sees it from far away.
26 See, God is honored, and we do not know Him. We are not able to know the number of His years.
27 For He takes up the drops of water that become rain,
28 which the clouds pour down. Much rain falls on man.
29 Can anyone understand how the clouds are spread out, or how He thunders from His tent?
30 See, He spreads His lightning around Him and covers the bottom of the sea.
31 For by these He judges the people and He gives much food.
32 He covers His hands with the lightning, and tells it to hit the mark.
33 His thunder tells of a storm coming, and cattle also know it is coming.
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.