« | Exodus 24 | » |
1 Then He said to Moses, "Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and seventy of the leaders of Israel and worship from far away.
2 But Moses alone may come near the Lord. The others should not come near and should not come up with him."
3 Moses came and told the people all the Lord said and all the Laws. All the people answered with one voice, saying, "We will do all that the Lord has spoken."
4 Moses wrote all the words of the Lord. He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the base of the mountain, with twelve pillars, one for each of the twelve families of Israel.
5 Then he sent young men of Israel, who gave burnt gifts and killed young bulls as gifts of peace given in worship to the Lord.
6 Moses took half of the blood and put it in pots. The other half of the blood he put upon the altar.
7 Then he took the Book of the Agreement and read it for the people to hear. They said, "We will do all that the Lord has spoken. We will obey."
8 So Moses took the blood and put some on the people. He said, "See, the blood of the agreement, which the Lord has made with you in these words."
9 Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and seventy of the leaders of Israel.
10 And they saw the God of Israel. The ground under His feet looked like sapphire stone, as clear as the sky itself.
11 He did not let His hand come against the leaders of Israel. But they saw God, and ate and drank.
12 The Lord said to Moses, "Come up to Me on the mountain and stay there. I will give you the pieces of stone with the Law which I have written for you to teach the people."
13 Then Moses got up with his helper Joshua, and Moses went up on the mountain of God.
14 He said to the leaders, "Wait here until we return to you. See, Aaron and Hur are with you. Let whoever has a problem go to them."
15 Then Moses went up on the mountain, which was covered with a cloud.
16 The shining-greatness of the Lord rested on Mount Sinai. And the cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day He called to Moses from the cloud.
17 To the people of Israel, the shining-greatness of the Lord looked like a fire that destroys on the mountain top.
18 Moses went into the cloud as he went up on the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.
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.