« | John 17 | » |
1 After Jesus said these things, he looked toward heaven and prayed, "Father, the time has come. Give glory to your Son so that the Son can give glory to you.
2 You gave the Son power over all people so that the Son could give eternal life to all those you gave him.
3 And this is eternal life: that people know you, the only true God, and that they know Jesus Christ, the One you sent.
4 Having finished the work you gave me to do, I brought you glory on earth.
5 And now, Father, give me glory with you; give me the glory I had with you before the world was made.
6 I showed what you are like to those you gave me from the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have obeyed your teaching.
7 Now they know that everything you gave me comes from you.
8 I gave them the teachings you gave me, and they accepted them. They knew that I truly came from you, and they believed that you sent me.
9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for people in the world but for those you gave me, because they are yours.
10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And my glory is shown through them.
11 I am coming to you; I will not stay in the world any longer. But they are still in the world. Holy Father, keep them safe by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they will be one, just as you and I are one.
12 While I was with them, I kept them safe by the power of your name, the name you gave me. I protected them, and only one of them, the one worthy of destruction, was lost so that the Scripture would come true.
13 I am coming to you now. But I pray these things while I am still in the world so that these followers can have all of my joy in them.
14 I have given them your teaching. And the world has hated them, because they don't belong to the world, just as I don't belong to the world.
15 I am not asking you to take them out of the world but to keep them safe from the Evil One.
16 They don't belong to the world, just as I don't belong to the world.
17 Make them ready for your service through your truth; your teaching is truth.
18 I have sent them into the world, just as you sent me into the world.
19 For their sake, I am making myself ready to serve so that they can be ready for their service of the truth.
20 I pray for these followers, but I am also praying for all those who will believe in me because of their teaching.
21 Father, I pray that they can be one. As you are in me and I am in you, I pray that they can also be one in us. Then the world will believe that you sent me.
22 I have given these people the glory that you gave me so that they can be one, just as you and I are one.
23 I will be in them and you will be in me so that they will be completely one. Then the world will know that you sent me and that you loved them just as much as you loved me.
24 Father, I want these people that you gave me to be with me where I am. I want them to see my glory, which you gave me because you loved me before the world was made.
25 Father, you are the One who is good. The world does not know you, but I know you, and these people know you sent me.
26 I showed them what you are like, and I will show them again. Then they will have the same love that you have for me, and I will live in them."
The New Century Version (NCV)
The New Century Version (NCV) is a contemporary English translation of the Bible designed to be easily understandable and accessible to a broad audience. First published in 1987 by Thomas Nelson, the NCV originated from a project aimed at creating a simplified English translation for children. Over time, the scope of the translation expanded to cater to readers of all ages, including those with limited English proficiency and those new to the Bible. The NCV’s primary goal is to communicate the truths of Scripture in clear, everyday language that resonates with modern readers.
A notable feature of the NCV is its use of dynamic equivalence, or thought-for-thought translation philosophy. This approach prioritizes conveying the meaning and intent of the original texts over maintaining a strict word-for-word correspondence. By doing so, the NCV aims to make the Bible’s messages more relatable and easier to understand, especially for those who may find traditional translations challenging. The translation team worked diligently to balance accuracy with readability, ensuring that the essence of the biblical texts is preserved while making them more accessible to contemporary audiences.
The NCV also includes various study aids and features designed to enhance comprehension and engagement with the biblical text. These include introductions to each book of the Bible, footnotes that provide historical and cultural context, and cross-references that help readers see connections between different parts of Scripture. Additionally, the NCV often employs gender-neutral language where appropriate, aiming to be inclusive and respectful of modern sensibilities while remaining faithful to the original texts.
Despite its strengths, the New Century Version has faced some criticism from those who prefer more traditional or literal translations. Critics argue that the dynamic equivalence approach can sometimes result in a loss of nuance and depth found in the original languages. Additionally, some theologians express concern that the simplified language may not fully capture the richness and complexity of certain theological concepts. Nonetheless, the NCV remains a valuable resource for many readers, particularly those seeking a clear and approachable version of the Bible that helps them connect with and understand its timeless messages.