« | Deuteronomy 33 | » |
1 Moses the man of God prayed before his death that good would come to the people of Israel.
2 He said, "The Lord came from Sinai. He came upon us from Seir. He shined from Mount Paran. He came among 10,000 holy ones. He came with fire at His right hand.
3 Yes, He loves His people. All Your holy ones are in Your hand. They followed in Your steps. They receive Your Word.
4 Moses gave us the Law, which belongs to the people of Jacob.
5 The Lord was King in Jeshurun, when the leaders of the people were gathered, all the families of Israel together.
6 "May Reuben live and not die. Do not let his men be few."
7 About Judah he said, "O Lord, hear the voice of Judah, and bring him to his people. He fought for them with his hands. Give him help against those who fight against him."
8 About Levi he said, "Let Your Thummim and Your Urim belong to Your man of God. You proved him at Massah, and at the waters of Meribah.
9 He said of his father and mother, 'I do not think of them.' He kept himself apart from his brothers, and his own children. Yes, they obeyed Your Word and kept Your agreement.
10 They will teach Your Laws to Jacob. They will teach Your Laws to Israel. They will put special perfume before You, and whole burnt gifts on Your altar.
11 O Lord, give him good things. Receive the work of his hands. Crush those who go against him and those who hate him, so they may not get up again."
12 About Benjamin he said, "May the one the Lord loves live by Him and be safe. The Lord covers him all the day long. And he lives between His shoulders."
13 About Joseph he said, "May the Lord bring good to his land, with the best gifts from heaven above, with water on the grass in the early morning, and from the deep waters below,
14 with the best things from the sun, and the best foods of the months.
15 May the Lord bring good to his land with the best things of the old mountains, and the best things of the hills that last forever,
16 with the best things of the earth and all that is in it, and the favor of Him Who lived in the bush. Let these gifts come upon the head of Joseph, upon the crown of the head of the one who is ruler among his brothers.
17 His great power is like the first-born of his bull. His horns are like the horns of the wild bull. With them he will push all the nations to the ends of the earth. They are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and the thousands of Manasseh."
18 About Zebulun he said, "Be full of joy, Zebulun, in your going out. Be full of joy, Issachar, in your tents.
19 They will call the people to the mountain. There they will give gifts that are right with God. For they will take out the riches of the seas and the hidden riches of the sand."
20 About Gad he said, "Happy is the one who gives much land to Gad! He lies down like a lion, and tears the arm and the crown of the head.
21 He chose the best part for himself, for that was the ruler's share. He came with the leaders of the people. He did what the Lord wanted him to do. And he obeyed His Law with Israel."
22 About Dan he said, "Dan is a young lion, that jumps out from Bashan."
23 About Naphtali he said, "O Naphtali, filled with favor, and full of the good things of the Lord, take the sea and the south for your own."
24 About Asher he said, "May Asher be given more than the other sons. May he be favored by his brothers. Let him put his foot in oil.
25 Your locks will be iron and brass. And your strength will last like your days.
26 "There is none like the God of Jeshurun. He comes through the heavens to help you, through the sky in His great power.
27 The God Who lives forever is your safe place. His arms are always under you. He drove away from in front of you those who hate you, and said, 'Destroy!'
28 So Israel lives in a safe place, the well of Jacob is safe, in a land of grain and new wine. Rain falls from His heavens.
29 Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a nation saved by the Lord! He is the battle-covering Who helps you. He is the sword of your great power. So those who hate you will be afraid in front of you. And you will walk upon their high places."
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.