« | Psalm 105 | » |
1 Give thanks to the Lord and pray to him. Tell the nations what he has done.
2 Sing to him; sing praises to him. Tell about all his miracles.
3 Be glad that you are his; let those who seek the Lord be happy.
4 Depend on the Lord and his strength; always go to him for help.
5 Remember the miracles he has done; remember his wonders and his decisions.
6 You are descendants of his servant Abraham, the children of Jacob, his chosen people.
7 He is the Lord our God. His laws are for all the world.
8 He will keep his agreement forever; he will keep his promises always.
9 He will keep the agreement he made with Abraham and the promise he made to Isaac.
10 He made it a law for the people of Jacob; he made it an agreement with Israel to last forever.
11 The Lord said, "I will give you the land of Canaan, and it will belong to you."
12 Then God's people were few in number. They were strangers in the land.
13 They went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another.
14 But the Lord did not let anyone hurt them; he warned kings not to harm them.
15 He said, "Don't touch my chosen people, and don't harm my prophets."
16 God ordered a time of hunger in the land, and he destroyed all the food.
17 Then he sent a man ahead of them -- Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
18 They put chains around his feet and an iron ring around his neck.
19 Then the time he had spoken of came, and the Lord's words proved that Joseph was right.
20 The king of Egypt sent for Joseph and freed him; the ruler of the people set him free.
21 He made him the master of his house; Joseph was in charge of his riches.
22 He could order the princes as he wished. He taught the older men to be wise.
23 Then his father Israel came to Egypt; Jacobn lived in Egypt.
24 The Lord made his people grow in number, and he made them stronger than their enemies.
25 He caused the Egyptians to hate his people and to make plans against his servants.
26 Then he sent his servant Moses, and Aaron, whom he had chosen.
27 They did many signs among the Egyptians and worked wonders in Egypt.
28 The Lord sent darkness and made the land dark, but the Egyptians turned against what he said.
29 So he changed their water into blood and made their fish die.
30 Then their country was filled with frogs, even in the bedrooms of their rulers.
31 The Lord spoke and flies came, and gnats were everywhere in the country.
32 He made hail fall like rain and sent lightning through their land.
33 He struck down their grapevines and fig trees, and he destroyed every tree in the country.
34 He spoke and grasshoppers came; the locusts were too many to count.
35 They ate all the plants in the land and everything the earth produced.
36 The Lord also killed all the firstborn sons in the land, the oldest son of each family.
37 Then he brought his people out, and they carried with them silver and gold. Not one of his people stumbled.
38 The Egyptians were glad when they left, because the Egyptians were afraid of them.
39 The Lord covered them with a cloud and lit up the night with fire.
40 When they asked, he brought them quail and filled them with bread from heaven.
41 God split the rock, and water flowed out; it ran like a river through the desert.
42 He remembered his holy promise to his servant Abraham.
43 So God brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing.
44 He gave them lands of other nations, so they received what others had worked for.
45 This was so they would keep his orders and obey his teachings.
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.