« | Deuteronomy 33 | » |
1 Moses, the man of God, gave this blessing to the Israelites before he died.
2 He said: "The Lord came from Mount Sinai and rose like the sun from Edom; he showed his greatness from Mount Paran. He came with thousands of angels from the southern mountains.
3 The Lord surely loves his people and takes care of all those who belong to him. They bow down at his feet, and they are taught by him.
4 Moses gave us the teachings that belong to the people of Jacob.
5 The Lord became king of Israel when the leaders of the people gathered, when the tribes of Israel came together.
6 "Let the people of Reuben live and not die, but let the people be few."
7 Moses said this about the people of Judah: "Lord, listen to Judah's prayer; bring them back to their people. They defend themselves with their hands. Help them fight their enemies!"
8 Moses said this about the people of Levi: "Lord, your Thummim and Urim belong to Levi, whom you love. Lord, you tested him at Massah and argued with him at the waters of Meribah.
9 He said about his father and mother, 'I don't care about them.' He did not treat his brothers as favorites or give special favors to his children, but he protected your word and guarded your agreement.
10 He teaches your laws to the people of Jacob and your teachings to the people of Israel. He burns incense before you and makes whole burnt offerings on your altar.
11 Lord, make them strong; be pleased with the work they do. Defeat those who attack them, and don't let their enemies rise up again."
12 Moses said this about the people of Benjamin: "The Lord's loved ones will lie down in safety, because he protects them all day long. The ones he loves rest with him."
13 Moses said this about the people of Joseph: "May the Lord bless their land with wonderful dew from heaven, with water from the springs below,
14 with the best fruits that the sun brings, and with the best fruits that the moon brings.
15 Let the old mountains give the finest crops, and let the everlasting hills give the best fruits.
16 Let the full earth give the best fruits, and let the Lord who lived in the burning bush be pleased. May these blessings rest on the head of Joseph, on the forehead of the one who was blessed among his brothers.
17 Joseph has the majesty of a firstborn bull; he is as strong as a wild ox. He will stab other nations, even those nations far away. These are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and these are the thousands of Manasseh."
18 Moses said this about the people of Zebulun: "Be happy when you go out, Zebulun, and be happy in your tents, Issachar.
19 They will call the people to the mountain, and there they will offer the right sacrifices. They will do well from all that is in the sea, and they will do well from the treasures hidden in the sand on the shore."
20 Moses said this about the people of Gad: "Praise God who gives Gad more land! Gad lives there like a lion, who tears off arms and heads.
21 They chose the best land for themselves. They received a large share, like that given to an officer. When the leaders of the people gathered, the people of Gad did what the Lord said was right, and they judged Israel fairly."
22 Moses said this about the people of Dan: "Dan is like a lion's cub, who jumps out of Bashan."
23 Moses said this about the people of Naphtali: "Naphtali enjoys special kindnesses, and they are full of the Lord's blessings. Take as your own the west and south."
24 Moses said this about the people of Asher: "Asher is the most blessed of the sons; let him be his brothers' favorite. Let him bathe his feet in olive oil.
25 Your gates will have locks of iron and bronze, and you will be strong as long as you live.
26 "There is no one like the God of Israel, who rides through the skies to help you, who rides on the clouds in his majesty.
27 The everlasting God is your place of safety, and his arms will hold you up forever. He will force your enemy out ahead of you, saying, 'Destroy the enemy!'
28 The people of Israel will lie down in safety. Jacob's spring is theirs alone. Theirs is a land full of grain and new wine, where the skies drop their dew.
29 Israel, you are blessed! No one else is like you, because you are a people saved by the Lord. He is your shield and helper, your glorious sword. Your enemies will be afraid of you, and you will walk all over their holy places."
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.