« | Job 42 |
1 Then Job answered the Lord, and said,
2 "I know that You can do all things. Nothing can put a stop to Your plans.
3 'Who is this that hides words of wisdom without much learning?' I have said things that I did not understand, things too great for me, which I did not know.
4 'Hear now, and I will speak. I will ask you, and you answer Me.'
5 I had heard of You only by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You.
6 So I hate the things that I have said. And I put dust and ashes on myself to show how sorry I am."
7 After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "My anger burns against you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.
8 So now take seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job. Give a burnt gift for yourselves, and My servant Job will pray for you. For I will hear his prayer and not punish you for being foolish, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has."
9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite, did what the Lord told them. And the Lord heard Job's prayer.
10 The Lord returned to Job all the things that he had lost, when he prayed for his friends. The Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.
11 Then all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before came to him, and ate bread with him in his house. They showed pity and comforted him for all the trouble the Lord had brought upon him. Each one gave him one piece of money and a gold ring.
12 The Lord brought more good to Job in his later years than in his beginning. He had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 2,000 oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys.
13 He had seven sons and three daughters also.
14 He gave the first the name Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Kerenhappuch.
15 No women were found in all the land who were as beautiful as Job's daughters. And their father gave them a share among their brothers.
16 After this Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons, his grandsons, and even their sons.
17 Then Job died, an old man having lived many days.
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.