« | Job 8 | » |
1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered,
2 "How long will you say these things, and the words of your mouth be a strong wind?
3 Does God make wrong what is fair? Does the All-powerful make wrong what is right?
4 If your children have sinned against Him, He has given them over to the power of their sin.
5 If you will look for God and pray to the Allpowerful,
6 if you are pure and right and good, for sure He will help you. Because you are right and good He will put you back where you should be.
7 And even if your beginning was small, your end will be very great.
8 "Ask about those who have lived before. Think about what their fathers learned.
9 For we are only of yesterday and know nothing. Our days on earth are as a shadow.
10 Will they not teach you and tell you, and speak words of wisdom?
11 "Can the tall river grass grow up from dry ground? Can the grass that grows in wet places grow without water?
12 While it is still green and not cut, it becomes dry and dead before any other plant.
13 So are the ways of all who forget God. The hope of the man without God is destroyed.
14 What he trusts in is easy to break, like the home of a spider.
15 The spider trusts in his house, but it falls apart. He holds on to it, but it does not hold.
16 He is full of strength in the sunshine, and his branches spread out over his garden.
17 His roots grow around rocks and they work their way among the stones.
18 If he is taken from his place, then it will turn away from him, saying, 'I have never seen you.'
19 See, this is the joy of His way. And out of the dust others will come.
20 See, God will not turn away from a man who is honest and faithful. And He will not help those who do wrong.
21 He will yet make you laugh and call out with joy.
22 Those who hate you will be dressed with shame. And the tent of the sinful will be no more."
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.