« | Matthew 4 | » |
1 Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
2 Jesus ate nothing for forty days and nights. After this, he was very hungry.
3 The devil came to Jesus to tempt him, saying, "If you are the Son of God, tell these rocks to become bread."
4 Jesus answered, "It is written in the Scriptures, 'A person does not live by eating only bread, but by everything God says.'"
5 Then the devil led Jesus to the holy city of Jerusalem and put him on a high place of the Temple.
6 The devil said, "If you are the Son of God, jump down, because it is written in the Scriptures: 'He has put his angels in charge of you. They will catch you in their hands so that you will not hit your foot on a rock.'"
7 Jesus answered him, "It also says in the Scriptures, 'Do not test the Lord your God.'"
8 Then the devil led Jesus to the top of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and all their splendor.
9 The devil said, "If you will bow down and worship me, I will give you all these things."
10 Jesus said to the devil, "Go away from me, Satan! It is written in the Scriptures, 'You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.'"
11 So the devil left Jesus, and angels came and took care of him.
12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he went back to Galilee.
13 He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum, a town near Lake Galilee, in the area near Zebulun and Naphtali.
14 Jesus did this to bring about what the prophet Isaiah had said:
15 "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali along the sea, beyond the Jordan River. This is Galilee where the non-Jewish people live.
16 These people who live in darkness will see a great light. They live in a place covered with the shadows of death, but a light will shine on them."
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Change your hearts and lives, because the kingdom of heaven is near."
18 As Jesus was walking by Lake Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and his brother Andrew. They were throwing a net into the lake because they were fishermen.
19 Jesus said, "Come follow me, and I will make you fish for people."
20 So Simon and Andrew immediately left their nets and followed him.
21 As Jesus continued walking by Lake Galilee, he saw two other brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus told them to come with him.
22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and they followed Jesus.
23 Jesus went everywhere in Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the Good News about the kingdom of heaven, and healing all the people's diseases and sicknesses.
24 The news about Jesus spread all over Syria, and people brought all the sick to him. They were suffering from different kinds of diseases. Some were in great pain, some had demons, some were epileptics, and some were paralyzed. Jesus healed all of them.
25 Many people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, Judea, and the land across the Jordan River followed him.
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.