« | John 17 | » |
1 When Jesus had said these things, He looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the time has come! Honor Your Son so Your Son may honor You.
2 You have given Him power over all men. He is to give life that lasts forever to all You have given to Him.
3 This is life that lasts forever. It is to know You, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ Whom You have sent.
4 I honored You on earth. I did the work You gave Me to do.
5 Now, Father, honor Me with the honor I had with You before the world was made.
6 "I have made Your name known to the people You have given Me from the world. They were Yours but You gave them to Me. They have obeyed Your Word.
7 Now they know that everything You have given Me came from You.
8 I gave them the Word which You gave Me. They received it. They know I came from You and they believe You sent Me.
9 "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world. I pray for those You gave Me. They are Yours.
10 All that is Mine is Yours. All that is Yours is Mine. I have been honored through them.
11 I am no longer in the world. I am coming to You. But these are still in the world. Holy Father, keep those You have given to Me in the power of Your name. Then they will be one, even as We are One.
12 While I have been with them in the world, I have kept them in the power of Your name. I have kept watch over those You gave Me. Not one of them has been lost except the one who is going to be destroyed, which is the son of death. The Holy Writings said it would happen. (Psalm 41:9; John 6:70)
13 But now I come to You, Father. I say these things while I am in the world. In this way, My followers may have My joy in their hearts.
14 "I have given Your Word to My followers. The world hated them because they do not belong to the world, even as I do not belong to the world.
15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world. I ask You to keep them from the devil.
16 My followers do not belong to the world just as I do not belong to the world.
17 Make them holy for Yourself by the truth. Your Word is truth.
18 "As You sent Me into the world so I have sent them into the world also.
19 I set Myself apart to be holy for them. Then they may be made holy by the truth.
20 "I do not pray for these followers only. I pray for those who will put their trust in Me through the teaching they have heard.
21 May they all be as one, Father, as You are in Me and I am in You. May they belong to Us. Then the world will believe that You sent Me.
22 I gave them the honor You gave Me that they may be one as We are One.
23 I am in them and You are in Me so they may be one and be made perfect. Then the world may know that You sent Me and that You love them as You love Me.
24 "Father, I want My followers You gave Me to be with Me where I am. Then they may see My shining-greatness which You gave Me because You loved Me before the world was made.
25 Holy Father, the world has not known You. I have known You. These have known You sent Me.
26 I have made Your name known to them and will make it known. So then the love You have for Me may be in them and I may be in them."
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.