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1 In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant for three years. Then he turned against him.
2 The Lord sent armies of Babylonians, Syrians, Moabites and Ammonites against Jehoiakim. He sent them against Judah to destroy it, just as the word of the Lord had said through His men who spoke for Him.
3 This came upon Judah at the word of the Lord, to put them away from His eyes because of the sins Manasseh had done.
4 And it happened because of the people Manasseh had killed who were not guilty. For he filled Jerusalem with their blood, and the Lord would not forgive.
5 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah.
6 Jehoiakim died, and his son Jehoiachin became king in his place.
7 And the king of Egypt did not leave his land again. For the king of Babylon had taken all that belonged to the king of Egypt from the river of Egypt to the river Euphrates.
8 Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king. He ruled for three months in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Nehushta the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.
9 Jehoiachin did what was sinful in the eyes of the Lord. He did just as his father had done.
10 At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon went up to Jerusalem. His soldiers gathered around the city.
11 King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to the city, while his soldiers were all around it trying to take it.
12 King Jehoiachin of Judah went out to the king of Babylon. He took with him his mother, his servants, his captains and his leaders. The king of Babylon took him away in the eighth year of his rule.
13 And Nebuchadnezzar carried away all the riches of the Lord's house and of the king's house. He cut in pieces all the objects of gold which King Solomon of Israel had made in the house of the Lord. It happened just as the Lord had said.
14 Then the king of Babylon led away all who lived in Jerusalem. He led away all the captains, all the powerful soldiers, and all those who were able to make things. He took 10,000 people away to Babylon. Only the very poor people of the land were left behind.
15 So he led Jehoiachin away to Babylon. He also led away the king's mother, his wives, his leaders, and the most important men of the land. He took them from Jerusalem to Babylon.
16 He led away all the powerful soldiers, 7,000 men. And he led away 1,000 of those who were able to make things. All of them were strong and able to fight in battle. Nebuchadnezzar took them away to Babylon.
17 Then he made Mattaniah, the brother of Jehoiachin's father, king in his place, and changed his name to Zedekiah.
18 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king. He ruled for eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
19 Zedekiah did what was sinful in the eyes of the Lord. He did all that Jehoiakim had done.
20 For because of the anger of the Lord, this happened in Jerusalem and Judah until the Lord put them away from Him. And Zedekiah turned against the king of Babylon.
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.