« | Mark 5 | » |
1 Jesus and his followers went to the other side of the lake to the area of the Gerasene people.
2 When Jesus got out of the boat, instantly a man with an evil spirit came to him from the burial caves.
3 This man lived in the caves, and no one could tie him up, not even with a chain.
4 Many times people had used chains to tie the man's hands and feet, but he always broke them off. No one was strong enough to control him.
5 Day and night he would wander around the burial caves and on the hills, screaming and cutting himself with stones.
6 While Jesus was still far away, the man saw him, ran to him, and fell down before him.
7 The man shouted in a loud voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I command you in God's name not to torture me!"
8 He said this because Jesus was saying to him, "You evil spirit, come out of the man."
9 Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He answered, "My name is Legion, because we are many spirits."
10 He begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of that area.
11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on a hill near there.
12 The demons begged Jesus, "Send us into the pigs; let us go into them."
13 So Jesus allowed them to do this. The evil spirits left the man and went into the pigs. Then the herd of pigs -- about two thousand of them -- rushed down the hill into the lake and were drowned.
14 The herdsmen ran away and went to the town and to the countryside, telling everyone about this. So people went out to see what had happened.
15 They came to Jesus and saw the man who used to have the many evil spirits, sitting, clothed, and in his right mind. And they were frightened.
16 The people who saw this told the others what had happened to the man who had the demons living in him, and they told about the pigs.
17 Then the people began to beg Jesus to leave their area.
18 As Jesus was getting back into the boat, the man who was freed from the demons begged to go with him.
19 But Jesus would not let him. He said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how he has had mercy on you."
20 So the man left and began to tell the people in the Ten Townsn about what Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.
21 When Jesus went in the boat back to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him there.
22 A leader of the synagogue, named Jairus, came there, saw Jesus, and fell at his feet.
23 He begged Jesus, saying again and again, "My daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so she will be healed and will live."
24 So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed Jesus and pushed very close around him.
25 Among them was a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years.
26 She had suffered very much from many doctors and had spent all the money she had, but instead of improving, she was getting worse.
27 When the woman heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his coat.
28 She thought, "If I can just touch his clothes, I will be healed."
29 Instantly her bleeding stopped, and she felt in her body that she was healed from her disease.
30 At once Jesus felt power go out from him. So he turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?"
31 His followers said, "Look at how many people are pushing against you! And you ask, 'Who touched me?'"
32 But Jesus continued looking around to see who had touched him.
33 The woman, knowing that she was healed, came and fell at Jesus' feet. Shaking with fear, she told him the whole truth.
34 Jesus said to her, "Dear woman, you are made well because you believed. Go in peace; be healed of your disease."
35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of the synagogue leader. They said, "Your daughter is dead. There is no need to bother the teacher anymore."
36 But Jesus paid no attention to what they said. He told the synagogue leader, "Don't be afraid; just believe."
37 Jesus let only Peter, James, and John the brother of James go with him.
38 When they came to the house of the synagogue leader, Jesus found many people there making lots of noise and crying loudly.
39 Jesus entered the house and said to them, "Why are you crying and making so much noise? The child is not dead, only asleep."
40 But they laughed at him. So, after throwing them out of the house, Jesus took the child's father and mother and his three followers into the room where the child was.
41 Taking hold of the girl's hand, he said to her, "Talitha, koum!" (This means, "Young girl, I tell you to stand up!")
42 At once the girl stood right up and began walking. (She was twelve years old.) Everyone was completely amazed.
43 Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell people about this. Then he told them to give the girl something to eat.
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.