« | Matthew 20 | » |
1 "For the holy nation of heaven is like the owner of a grape-field. He went out early in the morning to hire workmen to work in his grape-field.
2 He promised to give them a day's pay and then sent them to his grape-field.
3 Later in the morning he went to the center of the town where people gather. He saw men standing there doing nothing.
4 He said to them, 'You go to my grape-field and work also. Whatever is right, I will pay you.' And they went.
5 Again he went out about noon and at three o'clock and did the same thing.
6 About five o'clock he went out and still found others doing nothing. He asked them, 'Why do you stand here all day and do nothing?'
7 They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said, 'Go to my grape-field and work. Whatever is right, I will pay you.'
8 "When evening came, the owner of the grape-field said to the boss of the workmen, 'Call the workmen. Give them their pay. Start with the last ones hired and go on to the first ones hired.'
9 The workmen who had been hired at five o'clock came up. Each one of them got a day's pay for his work.
10 When the workmen who had been hired the first thing in the morning came, they thought they would get more. But each one got a day's pay.
11 After they received it, they talked against the owner.
12 They said, 'The last workmen hired have only worked one hour. You have given to them the same as to us. We have worked hard through the heat of the day.'
13 But he said to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me when I promised to pay you a day's pay?
14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the last ones hired the same as I have given you.
15 Do I not have the right to do what I want to do with my own money? Does your eye make you want more because I am good?'
16 So those who are last will be first and the first will be last."
17 As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, He talked also to the twelve followers by the side of the road. He said,
18 "Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the religious leaders and to the teachers of the Law. They will say that He must be put to death.
19 They will hand Him over to the people who do not know God. They will make fun of Him and will beat Him. They will nail Him to a cross. Three days later He will be raised to life."
20 The mother of Zebedee's children (James and John) came to Jesus with her sons. She got down on her knees before Jesus to ask something of Him.
21 He said to her, "What do you want?" She said, "Say that my two sons may sit, one at Your right side and one at Your left side, when You are King."
22 Jesus said to her, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to take the suffering that I am about to take? (*Are you able to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?)" They said, "Yes, we are able."
23 He said to them, "You will suffer as I will suffer. But the places at My right side and at My left side are not Mine to give. Whoever My Father says will have those places."
24 The other ten followers heard this. They were angry with the two brothers.
25 Jesus called them to Him and said, "You know how the kings of the nations show their power to the people. Important leaders use their power over the people.
26 It must not be that way with you. But whoever wants to be great among you, let him care for you.
27 Whoever wants to be first among you, let him be your servant.
28 For the Son of Man came not to be cared for. He came to care for others. He came to give His life so that many could be bought by His blood and made free from the punishment of sin." (Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43)
29 As they went away from the city of Jericho, many people followed Him.
30 Two blind men were sitting by the side of the road. They called out when they heard that Jesus was going by. They said, "Lord, take pity on us, Son of David!"
31 Many people spoke sharp words to them. They told the blind men not to call out. But they called all the more, "Lord! Take pity on us, Son of David!"
32 Jesus stopped and called them. He asked, "What do you want Me to do for you?"
33 The blind men said to Jesus, "Lord, we want our eyes opened!"
34 Jesus had loving-pity on them and put His hands on their eyes. At once they could see, and they followed Jesus.
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.