« | Job 4 | » |
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered,
2 "If one speaks with you, will you want him to stop? But who can keep from speaking?
3 See, you have taught many, and you have given strength to weak hands.
4 Your words have helped him stand who would have fallen. You have given strength to weak knees.
5 But now it has come to you, and you are not happy. It touches you, and you are troubled and sad.
6 Is not your fear of God what gives you strength and your good ways that give you hope?
7 "Think now, who without guilt was ever destroyed?
8 As I have seen, those who plow sin and plant trouble gather the same.
9 By the breath of God they are destroyed. They are destroyed by the wind of His anger.
10 The noise of the lion, the voice of the angry lion, and the teeth of the young lions are broken.
11 The strong lion dies because there is no food to get. And the young of the lioness are sent everywhere.
12 "Now a word was brought to me in secret. My ear heard it spoken in a quiet voice.
13 With troubled thoughts from the dreams of the night, when deep sleep comes upon men,
14 fear came to me and I shook. It made all my bones shake.
15 A spirit passed by my face. The hair of my flesh stood up.
16 The spirit stood still, but I could not understand what I saw. Something was in front of my eyes. All was quiet, then I heard a voice:
17 'Can man be right more than God? Can a man be pure more than his Maker?
18 He puts no trust even in His servants. He finds mistakes among His angels.
19 How much more those who live in houses of clay, who build upon the dust, who are crushed like the moth!
20 Between morning and evening they are destroyed. Without anyone seeing it they become lost forever.
21 Is not their tentrope pulled up within them? They die, and have no wisdom.'
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.