« | Romans 2 | » |
1 So you can say nothing because you are guilty when you say someone else is guilty. While you say someone is guilty, you are doing the same things he does.
2 We know that God will say those who do such things are guilty.
3 Do you think God will punish others for doing wrong and let you keep sinning?
4 Do you forget about His loving-kindness to you? Do you forget how long He is waiting for you? You know that God is kind. He is trying to get you to be sorry for your sins and turn from them.
5 Because you are not sorry for your sins and will not turn from them, you will be punished even more on the day of God's anger. God will be right in saying you are guilty.
6 He will give to every man what he should get for the things he has done.
7 Those who keep on doing good and are looking for His greatness and honor will receive life that lasts forever.
8 Those who love only themselves and do not obey the truth, but do what is wrong, will be punished by God. His anger will be on them.
9 Every Jew and every person who is not a Jew who sins will suffer and have great sorrow.
10 But God will give His greatness and honor and peace to all those who obey the truth. Both Jews and those who are not Jews will receive this.
11 God does not show favor to one man more than to another.
12 Those who have sinned without having the Law will be lost without the Law being used. Those who have the Law and have sinned will be judged by the Law.
13 Just to hear the Law does not make a man right with God. The man right with God is the one who obeys the Law.
14 The people who are not Jews do not have the Law. When they do what the Law tells them to do, even if they do not have the Law, it shows they know what they should do.
15 They show that what the Law wants them to do is written in their hearts. Their own hearts tell them if they are guilty.
16 There will be a day when God will judge because He knows the secret thoughts of men. He will do this through Jesus Christ. This is part of the Good News I preach.
17 You are a Jew and think you are safe because of the Law. You tell others about how you know God.
18 You know what He wants you to do. You understand how the Law works. You know right from wrong.
19 You think you can lead a blind man. You think you can give light to those in darkness.
20 You think you can teach foolish people and children about God. You have in the Law the plan of truth and wisdom.
21 You teach others. Why do you not teach yourselves? You tell others not to steal. Do you steal?
22 You say that no one should do sex sins. Do you do sex sins? You hate false gods. Do you rob the houses where they are kept?
23 You are proud of the Law. Do you take honor away from God when you do not obey the Law?
24 The Holy Writings say, "God's name is hated by the people who are not Jews because of you." (Isaiah 52:5)
25 Going through the religious act of becoming a Jew is worth something if you obey the Law. If you do not obey the Law, it is worth nothing to you.
26 If a person who is not a Jew and has not gone through the act of becoming a Jew, obeys the Law, God will think of him as a Jew.
27 You Jews have the Law but do not obey it. You have gone through the religious act also. At the same time those who are not Jews obey the Law even if they have not gone through the religious act of becoming a Jew. In this way, these people show you are guilty.
28 A man is not a Jew just because he goes through the religious act of becoming a Jew.
29 The true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. The religious act of becoming a Jew must be done in the heart. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. The Law does not do that kind of work. The true Jew gets his thanks from God, not from men.
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.