« | Deuteronomy 27 | » |
1 Then Moses and the leaders of Israel said to the people, "Keep all the Laws which I tell you today.
2 On the day you cross the Jordan to the land the Lord your God gives you, set up large stones and cover them with plaster.
3 Write on them all the words of this Law when you cross the river and go into the land the Lord your God gives you. It is a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, promised you.
4 When you cross the Jordan, set up these stones on Mount Ebal and cover them with plaster, as I tell you today.
5 Build an altar of stones there to the Lord your God. Do not work on them with an iron tool.
6 And build the altar of the Lord your God with stones that are not cut. Then give a burnt gift on it to the Lord your God.
7 Give peace gifts and eat there. And be full of joy before the Lord your God.
8 Write all the words of this Law on the stones. Make it easy to read."
9 Then Moses and the Levite religious leaders said to all Israel, "Be quiet and listen, O Israel! This day you have become the people of the Lord your God.
10 So obey the Lord your God. Keep all of His Laws which I tell you today."
11 Moses told the people that same day,
12 "Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph and Benjamin will stand on Mount Gerizim when you cross the Jordan. They will pray that good will come to the people.
13 And Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali will stand on Mount Ebal to tell of the curses.
14 The Levites will say with a loud voice to all the people of Israel:
15 'Cursed is every man who makes a god or something to look like a god, the work of the hands of the able workman, and sets it up in secret. It is hated by the Lord.' Then all the people will answer, 'Let it be so.'
16 'Cursed is the one who puts his father or mother to shame.' And all the people will say, 'Let it be so.'
17 'Cursed is the man who moves his neighbor's land-mark.' And all the people will say, 'Let it be so.'
18 'Cursed is the one who leads a blind person on the road the wrong way.' Then all the people will say, 'Let it be so.'
19 'Cursed is the one who is not fair to a stranger, a child whose parents have died, and the woman whose husband has died.' And all the people will say, 'Let it be so.'
20 'Cursed is the man who lies with his father's wife because he has taken off the clothes of her who belongs to his father.' And all the people will say, 'Let it be so.'
21 'Cursed is the man who lies with any animal.' And all the people will say, 'Let it be so.'
22 'Cursed is the man who lies with his sister, the daughter of his father or mother.' Then all the people will say, 'Let it be so.'
23 'Cursed is the man who lies with his mother-in-law.' And all the people will say, 'Let it be so.'
24 'Cursed is the one who hits his neighbor in secret.' And all the people will say, 'Let it be so.'
25 'Cursed is the one who receives pay to kill a person who is not guilty.' Then all the people will say, 'Let it be so.'
26 'Cursed is the one who does not obey the words of this Law.' And all the people will say, 'Let it be so.'
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.