« | 1 Chronicles 14 | » |
1 Now King Hiram of Tyre sent men with cedar trees to David. With them came men who worked with stone and wood. They came to build a house for him.
2 David understood that the Lord had made him to be king of Israel. He knew that his nation was very honored because of God's people Israel.
3 Then David took more wives at Jerusalem. He became the father of more sons and daughters.
4 The names of the children born to him in Jerusalem are Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet,
6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,
7 Elishama, Beeliada and Eliphelet.
8 The Philistines heard that David had been chosen as king of all Israel. So they went up to look for him. David heard of it and went out against them.
9 Now the Philistines had come to fight a surprise battle in the valley of Rephaim.
10 David asked God, "Should I go fight against the Philistines? Will You give them to me?" And the Lord said to him, "Go, for I will give them to you."
11 So they came up to Baal-perazim, and David won the battle against them there. David said, "By my hand God has broken through those who hate me, like the breaking through of a flood." So they gave that place the name Baal-perazim.
12 The Philistines left their gods there. So David had them burned with fire.
13 The Philistines fought another surprise battle in the valley.
14 So David asked God again what he should do. God said to him, "Do not go after them. Go around behind them, and come upon them in front of the balsam trees.
15 When you hear the sound of their steps in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle. For God will have gone out before you to destroy the Philistine army."
16 David did just as God had told him, and they destroyed the Philistine army from Gibeon as far as Gezer.
17 Then the name of David became known in all the lands. The Lord brought the fear of him upon all the nations.
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.