« | Job 37 | » |
1 "At this my heart shakes with fear and jumps from its place.
2 Listen to the thunder of His voice and the noise that comes from His mouth.
3 He lets it loose under the whole heaven. He lets His lightning go to the ends of the earth.
4 His voice sounds after it. He thunders with His great and powerful voice. And He does not hold back the lightning when His voice is heard.
5 God thunders with His great voice. He does great things which we cannot understand.
6 For He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain, 'Be strong.'
7 He stops the work of every man, that all men may know His work.
8 Then the wild animals go to their holes, and stay where they live.
9 The storm comes from the south, and the cold from the north.
10 Water becomes ice by the breath of God. The wide waters become ice.
11 He loads the heavy clouds with water and they send out His lightning.
12 It changes its path and turns around by His leading, doing whatever He tells it to do on the earth where people live.
13 He causes it to happen for punishment, or for His world, or because of His love.
14 "Hear this, O Job. Stop and think about the great works of God.
15 Do you know how God does them, and makes the lightning shine from His cloud?
16 Do you know how the clouds are set in heaven, the great works of Him Who is perfect in understanding?
17 Do you know why you are hot in your clothes when the land becomes quiet because of the south wind?
18 Can you help Him spread out the sky, making it as hard as a mirror made from heated brass?
19 Teach us what we should say to Him. We cannot put words together to help us because of darkness.
20 Should He be told that I want to speak? Did a man ever wish to be swallowed up?
21 "Now men cannot look on the light when it is bright in the sky, when the wind has passed and made it clear.
22 A bright gold light is seen in the north. Around God is great power.
23 We cannot come near the All-powerful. He is lifted high with power. And He is right and fair and good and will not make it hard for us.
24 So men honor Him with fear. He has respect for any who are wise in heart."
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.