« | Matthew 6 | » |
1 "Be careful! When you do good things, don't do them in front of people to be seen by them. If you do that, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 "When you give to the poor, don't be like the hypocrites. They blow trumpets in the synagogues and on the streets so that people will see them and honor them. I tell you the truth, those hypocrites already have their full reward.
3 So when you give to the poor, don't let anyone know what you are doing.
4 Your giving should be done in secret. Your Father can see what is done in secret, and he will reward you.
5 "When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites. They love to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners and pray so people will see them. I tell you the truth, they already have their full reward.
6 When you pray, you should go into your room and close the door and pray to your Father who cannot be seen. Your Father can see what is done in secret, and he will reward you.
7 "And when you pray, don't be like those people who don't know God. They continue saying things that mean nothing, thinking that God will hear them because of their many words.
8 Don't be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask him.
9 So when you pray, you should pray like this: 'Our Father in heaven, may your name always be kept holy.
10 May your kingdom come and what you want be done, here on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us the food we need for each day.
12 Forgive us for our sins, just as we have forgiven those who sinned against us.
13 And do not cause us to be tempted, but save us from the Evil One.'
14 Yes, if you forgive others for their sins, your Father in heaven will also forgive you for your sins.
15 But if you don't forgive others, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins.
16 "When you give up eating, don't put on a sad face like the hypocrites. They make their faces look sad to show people they are giving up eating. I tell you the truth, those hypocrites already have their full reward.
17 So when you give up eating, comb your hair and wash your face.
18 Then people will not know that you are giving up eating, but your Father, whom you cannot see, will see you. Your Father sees what is done in secret, and he will reward you.
19 "Don't store treasures for yourselves here on earth where moths and rust will destroy them and thieves can break in and steal them.
20 But store your treasures in heaven where they cannot be destroyed by moths or rust and where thieves cannot break in and steal them.
21 Your heart will be where your treasure is.
22 "The eye is a light for the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.
23 But if your eyes are evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. And if the only light you have is really darkness, then you have the worst darkness.
24 "No one can serve two masters. The person will hate one master and love the other, or will follow one master and refuse to follow the other. You cannot serve both God and worldly riches.
25 "So I tell you, don't worry about the food or drink you need to live, or about the clothes you need for your body. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes.
26 Look at the birds in the air. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. And you know that you are worth much more than the birds.
27 You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it.
28 "And why do you worry about clothes? Look at how the lilies in the field grow. They don't work or make clothes for themselves.
29 But I tell you that even Solomon with his riches was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers.
30 God clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today but tomorrow is thrown into the fire. So you can be even more sure that God will clothe you. Don't have so little faith!
31 Don't worry and say, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?'
32 The people who don't know God keep trying to get these things, and your Father in heaven knows you need them.
33 The thing you should want most is God's kingdom and doing what God wants. Then all these other things you need will be given to you.
34 So don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
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.