« | Matthew 28 |
1 The Day of Rest was over. The sun was coming up on the first day of the week. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the grave.
2 At once the earth shook and an angel of the Lord came down from heaven. He came and pushed back the stone from the door and sat on it.
3 His face was bright like lightning. His clothes were white as snow.
4 The soldiers were shaking with fear and became as dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus Who was nailed to the cross.
6 He is not here! He has risen from the dead as He said He would. Come and see the place where the Lord lay.
7 Run fast and tell His followers that He is risen from the dead. He is going before you to the country of Galilee. You will see Him there as I have told you."
8 They went away from the grave in a hurry. They were afraid and yet had much joy. They ran to tell the news to His followers.
9 As they went to tell the followers, Jesus met them and said hello to them. They came and held His feet and worshiped Him.
10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My followers to go to Galilee. They will see Me there."
11 While they were on their way, some of the soldiers who were to watch the grave came into the city. They told the head religious leaders everything that had happened.
12 The soldiers gathered together with the other leaders and talked about what to do. The leaders gave much money to the soldiers.
13 They said, "Tell the people, 'His followers came at night and took His body while we were sleeping.'
14 We will see that you do not get into trouble over this if Pilate hears about it."
15 They took the money and did as they were told. This story was told among the Jews and is still told today.
16 Then the eleven followers went to Galilee. They went to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
17 When they saw Jesus, they worshiped Him. But some did not believe.
18 Jesus came and said to them, "All power has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 Go and make followers of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
20 Teach them to do all the things I have told you. And I am with you always, even to the end of the world."
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.