« | Leviticus 18 | » |
1 The Lord said to Moses,
2 "Tell the people of Israel: 'I am the Lord your God.
3 In the past you lived in Egypt, but you must not do what was done in that country. And you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their customs.
4 You must obey my rules and follow them. I am the Lord your God.
5 Obey my laws and rules; a person who obeys them will live because of them. I am the Lord.
6 "'You must never have sexual relations with your close relatives. I am the Lord.
7 "'You must not shame your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; do not have sexual relations with her.
8 You must not have sexual relations with your father's wife; that would shame your father.
9 "'You must not have sexual relations with your sister, either the daughter of your father or your mother. It doesn't matter if she was born in your house or somewhere else.
10 "'You must not have sexual relations with your son's daughter or your daughter's daughter; that would bring shame on you.
11 "'If your father and his wife have a daughter, she is your sister. You must not have sexual relations with her.
12 "'You must not have sexual relations with your father's sister; she is your father's close relative.
13 You must not have sexual relations with your mother's sister; she is your mother's close relative.
14 You must not have sexual relations with the wife of your father's brother, because this would shame him. She is your aunt.
15 "'You must not have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law; she is your son's wife. Do not have sexual relations with her.
16 "'You must not have sexual relations with your brother's wife. That would shame your brother.
17 "'You must not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. And do not have sexual relations with this woman's granddaughter, either the daughter of her son or her daughter; they are her close relatives. It is evil to do this.
18 "'While your wife is still living, you must not take her sister as another wife. Do not have sexual relations with her.
19 "'You must not go near a woman to have sexual relations with her during her monthly period, when she is unclean.
20 "'You must not have sexual relations with your neighbor's wife and make yourself unclean with her.
21 "'You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, because this would show that you do not respect your God. I am the Lord.
22 "'You must not have sexual relations with a man as you would a woman. That is a hateful sin.
23 "'You must not have sexual relations with an animal and make yourself unclean with it. Also a woman must not have sexual relations with an animal; it is not natural.
24 "'Don't make yourself unclean by any of these wrong things. I am forcing nations out of their countries because they did these sins, and I am giving their land to you.
25 The land has become unclean, and I punished it for its sins, so the land is throwing out those people who live there.
26 "'You must obey my laws and rules, and you must not do any of these hateful sins. These rules are for the citizens of Israel and for the people who live with you.
27 The people who lived in the land before you did all these hateful things and made the land unclean.
28 If you do these things, you will also make the land unclean, and it will throw you out as it threw out the nations before you.
29 Anyone who does these hateful sins must be cut off from the people.
30 Keep my command not to do these hateful sins that were done by the people who lived in the land before you. Don't make yourself unclean by doing them. I am the Lord your God.'"
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.