« | Revelation 12 | » |
1 A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.
2 She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth.
3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads.
4 His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born.
5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.
6 The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.
7 And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.
8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven.
9 The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
11 They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short."
13 When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.
14 The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent's reach.
15 Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent.
16 But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.
17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring--those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
The New International Version (NIV)
The New International Version (NIV) is one of the most widely read and respected modern English translations of the Bible. First published in 1978 by the International Bible Society, the NIV was created by a diverse team of over 100 evangelical scholars from various denominations. The goal of the NIV was to produce a Bible translation that balanced readability, accuracy, and faithfulness to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. This makes the NIV an ideal choice for both personal study and public worship, appealing to a broad audience across different Christian traditions.
A key feature of the NIV is its use of a balanced translation philosophy known as "optimal equivalence." This approach combines aspects of formal equivalence (word-for-word) and dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought) to provide a translation that is both accurate and easily understandable. The translators carefully considered the context and meaning of the original texts, striving to convey their messages in clear, contemporary English. This balance ensures that the NIV remains faithful to the original languages while being accessible to modern readers, making it a versatile and widely accepted translation.
The NIV also includes various study aids and features designed to enhance the reader’s understanding of the Bible. These include comprehensive cross-references, footnotes, and introductions to each book that provide historical and cultural context. Additionally, the NIV is available in numerous editions and formats, including study Bibles, devotional Bibles, and children’s Bibles, catering to different needs and preferences. The widespread availability and extensive resources associated with the NIV make it a valuable tool for both individual study and group teaching.
Despite its popularity and widespread use, the NIV has faced some criticism. Some traditionalists and scholars prefer more literal translations, arguing that the NIV’s approach to dynamic equivalence can sometimes result in interpretive bias or a loss of subtle nuances present in the original texts. Additionally, debates have arisen over the NIV’s use of gender-inclusive language in its 2011 update, with some critics feeling that it strays too far from the original wording. Nonetheless, the New International Version remains a highly esteemed and influential translation, recognized for its readability, accuracy, and broad appeal across the Christian community.