« | Job 7 | » |
1 and test him all the time?
2 Like a servant who desires to be out of the sun, and like a working man who waits for his pay,
3 I am given months of pain and nights of suffering for no reason.
4 When I lie down I say, 'When will I get up?' But the night is long, and I am always turning from side to side until morning.
5 My flesh is covered with worms and dirt. My skin becomes hard and breaks open.
6 My days are faster than a clothmaker's tool, and come to their end without hope.
7 "Remember that my life is only a breath. My eye will not again see good.
8 The eye of him who sees me will see me no more. Your eyes will be on me, but I will be gone.
9 When a cloud goes away, it is gone. And he who goes down to the place of the dead does not come back.
10 He will not return to his house, and his place will not know him any more.
11 "So I will not keep my mouth shut. I will speak in the suffering of my spirit. I will complain because my soul is bitter.
12 Am I the sea, or a large sea animal, that You put someone to watch me?
13 When I say, 'My bed will comfort me, and there I will find rest from my complaining,'
14 then You send dreams to me which fill me with fear.
15 So a quick death by having my breath stopped would be better to me than my pains.
16 I hate my life. I will not live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are only a breath.
17 What is man, that You make so much of him? Why do You care about him,
18 that You look at him every morning, h4Job 7/h4
19 How long will it be until You look away from me? Will You not let me alone until I swallow my spit?
20 Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O watcher of men? Why have you made me something to shoot at, so that I am a problem to myself?
21 Why then do You not forgive my wrong-doing and take away my sin? For now I will lie down in the dust. You will look for me, but I will not be."
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.