« | 2 Chronicles 10 | » |
1 Then Rehoboam went to Shechem. All Israel had come to Shechem to make him king.
2 When Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard about it, he returned from Egypt. For Jeroboam had run to Egypt to get away from King Solomon.
3 And the people sent for him. Jeroboam and all Israel came to Rehoboam and said,
4 "Your father gave us a heavy load to carry. So now make our work easier than your father made us work. Do not let our load be as heavy as the one he put on us. And we will work for you."
5 Rehoboam said to them, "Come to me again in three days." So the people left.
6 Then King Rehoboam spoke with the leaders who had served his father Solomon while he was still alive. He said, "Tell me, how do you think I should answer these people?"
7 They said to him, "If you will be kind to these people and please them and speak good words to them, they will be your servants forever."
8 But Rehoboam would not listen to the wise words of the leaders. He spoke with the young men who grew up with him and served him.
9 He said to them, "Tell me, how do you think I should answer these people who have said to me, `Do not let our load be as heavy as the one your father put on us'?"
10 The young men who grew up with him said to him, "Say this to the people who said to you, `Your father made our load heavy, but you make it easier for us.' Tell them, `My little finger is bigger around than my father's body!
11 My father gave you a heavy load. I will add to your load. My father punished you with whips. But I will punish you with scorpions.' "
12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king had told them, saying, "Return to me on the third day."
13 The king answered them with strong words. King Rehoboam did not listen to the wise words of the leaders.
14 Instead he listened to the words of the young men. And he said to them," My father made your load heavy, but I will add to it. My father punished you with whips, but I will punish you with scorpions."
15 So the king did not listen to the people. God made this happen so that He might make His Word come true which He spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
16 All Israel saw that the king did not listen to them. So the people said to the king, "What share do we have in David? We have no share in the son of Jesse. Every man to your tents, O Israel! Now look to your own house, David!" So all Israel left and went to their tents.
17 But Rehoboam ruled over the people of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah.
18 Then King Rehoboam sent Hadoram, the man who made the people work. But the people of Israel killed him with stones. So King Rehoboam got on his war-wagon in a hurry, to go to Jerusalem.
19 Israel has been against the family of David to this day.
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.