Jonah 1 | » |
1 The Word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
2 "Get up and go to the large city of Nineveh, and preach against it. For their sin has come up before Me."
3 But Jonah ran away from the Lord going toward Tarshish. He went down to Joppa and found a ship which was going to Tarshish. Jonah paid money, and got on the ship to go with them, to get away from the Lord.
4 Then the Lord sent a powerful wind upon the sea, and there was such a big storm that the ship was about to break up.
5 The sailors became afraid, and every man cried to his god. They threw the things that were in the ship into the sea so that it would not be so heavy. But Jonah had gone below in the ship and had lain down and fallen asleep.
6 So the captain went to him and said, "How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god. It may be that your god will care about us, and we will not die."
7 Then the sailors said to each other, "Come, let us draw names so we can find out who is to blame for this trouble." So they drew names, and Jonah's name was drawn.
8 Then they said to him, "Now tell us! Who is to blame for this? What is your work? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?"
9 Jonah said to them, "I am a Hebrew, and I worship the Lord God of heaven Who made the sea and the dry land."
10 Then the men were filled with fear and said to him, "How could you do this?" For the men knew that he was running away from the Lord, because he had told them.
11 So they said to him, "What should we do to you to make the sea quiet down for us?" For the storm was getting worse.
12 Jonah said to them, "Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will quiet down for you. For I know that this bad storm has come upon you because of me."
13 The men rowed hard to return to land, but they could not, for the wind was blowing even worse against them.
14 Then they called on the Lord and said, "We beg You, O Lord, do not let us die for what this man has done. And do not let us become guilty for killing someone who is not to blame. For You, O Lord, have done as You have pleased."
15 So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the storm stopped.
16 Then the men feared the Lord very much. They gave a gift in worship to the Lord and made promises to Him.
17 The Lord sent a big fish to swallow Jonah, and he was in the stomach of the fish for three days and three nights.
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.