« | 1 Chronicles 16 | » |
1 They brought the Ark of God and put it inside the tent that David had set up for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to God.
2 When David had finished giving the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord.
3 He gave a loaf of bread, some dates, and raisins to every Israelite man and woman.
4 Then David appointed some of the Levites to serve before the Ark of the Lord. They had the job of leading the worship and giving thanks and praising the Lord, the God of Israel.
5 Asaph, who played the cymbals, was the leader. Zechariah was second to him. The other Levites were Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel. They played the lyres and harps.
6 Benaiah and Jahaziel were priests who blew the trumpets regularly before the Ark of the Agreement with God.
7 That day David first gave Asaph and his relatives the job of singing praises to the Lord.
8 Give thanks to the Lord and pray to him. Tell the nations what he has done.
9 Sing to him; sing praises to him. Tell about all his miracles.
10 Be glad that you are his; let those who seek the Lord be happy.
11 Depend on the Lord and his strength; always go to him for help.
12 Remember the miracles he has done, his wonders, and his decisions.
13 You are the descendants of his servant, Israel; you are the children of Jacob, his chosen people.
14 He is the Lord our God. His laws are for all the world.
15 He will keep his agreement forever; he will keep his promises always.
16 He will keep the agreement he made with Abraham and the promise he made to Isaac.
17 He made it a law for the people of Jacob; he made it an agreement with Israel to last forever.
18 He said, "I will give the land of Canaan to you, to belong to you."
19 Then God's people were few in number, and they were strangers in the land.
20 They went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another.
21 But he did not let anyone hurt them; he warned kings not to harm them.
22 He said, "Don't touch my chosen people, and don't harm my prophets."
23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Every day tell how he saves us.
24 Tell the nations about his glory; tell all peoples the miracles he does.
25 The Lord is great; he should be praised. He should be respected more than all the gods.
26 All the gods of the nations are only idols, but the Lord made the skies.
27 He has glory and majesty; he has power and joy in his Temple.
28 Praise the Lord, all nations on earth. Praise the Lord's glory and power;
29 praise the glory of the Lord's name. Bring an offering and come to him. Worship the Lord because he is holy.
30 Tremble before him, everyone on earth. The earth is set, and it cannot be moved.
31 Let the skies rejoice and the earth be glad. Let people everywhere say, "The Lord is king!"
32 Let the sea and everything in it shout; let the fields and everything in them rejoice.
33 Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the Lord. They will sing because he is coming to judge the world.
34 Thank the Lord because he is good. His love continues forever.
35 Say to him, "Save us, God our Savior, and bring us back and save us from other nations. Then we will thank you and will gladly praise you."
36 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel. He always was and always will be. All the people said "Amen" and praised the Lord.
37 Then David left Asaph and the other Levites there in front of the Ark of the Agreement with the Lord. They were to serve there every day.
38 David also left Obed-Edom and sixty-eight other Levites to serve with them. Hosah and Obed-Edom son of Jeduthun were guards.
39 David left Zadok the priest and the other priests who served with him in front of the Tent of the Lord at the place of worship in Gibeon.
40 Every morning and evening they offered burnt offerings on the altar of burnt offerings, following the rules written in the Teachings of the Lord, which he had given Israel.
41 With them were Heman and Jeduthun and other Levites. They were chosen by name to sing praises to the Lord because his love continues forever.
42 Heman and Jeduthun also had the job of playing the trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments when songs were sung to God. Jeduthun's sons guarded the gates.
43 Then all the people left. Each person went home, and David also went home to bless the people in his home.
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.