« | Philippians 4 |
1 So, my dear Christian brothers, you are my joy and prize. I want to see you. Keep on staying true to the Lord, my dear friends.
2 I ask Euodias and Syntyche to agree as Christians should.
3 My true helper, I ask you to help these women who have worked with me so much in preaching the Good News to others. Clement helped also. There are others who worked with me. Their names are in the book of life.
4 Be full of joy always because you belong to the Lord. Again I say, be full of joy!
5 Let all people see how gentle you are. The Lord is coming again soon.
6 Do not worry. Learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need.
7 The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Christian brothers, keep your minds thinking about whatever is true, whatever is respected, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever can be loved, and whatever is well thought of. If there is anything good and worth giving thanks for, think about these things.
9 Keep on doing all the things you learned and received and heard from me. Do the things you saw me do. Then the God
10 The Lord gives me a reason to be full of joy. It is because you are able to care for me again. I know you wanted to before but you did not have a way to help me.
11 I am not saying I need anything. I have learned to be happy with whatever I have.
12 I know how to get along with little and how to live when I have much. I have learned the secret of being happy at all times. If I am full of food and have all I need, I am happy. If I am hungry and need more, I am happy.
13 I can do all things because Christ gives me the strength.
14 It was kind of you to help me when I was in trouble.
15 You Philippians also know that when I first preached the Good News, you were the only church that helped me. It was when I left for the country of Macedonia.
16 Even while I was in the city of Thessalonica you helped me more than once.
17 It is not that I want to receive the gift. I want you to get the pay that is coming to you later.
18 I have everything I need and more than enough. I am taken care of because Epaphroditus brought your gift. It is a sweet gift. It is a gift that cost you something. It is the kind of gift God is so pleased with.
19 And my God will give you everything you need because of His great riches in Christ Jesus.
20 Now may our God and Father be honored forever. Let it be so.
21 Greet all those who belong to Christ Jesus. The Christian brothers here with me greet you.
22 All those who belong to Christ greet you, and most of all, those who live in Caesar's house.
23 May your spirit have the loving-favor of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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.