« | Exodus 25 | » |
1 The Lord said to Moses,
2 "Tell the Israelites to bring me gifts. Receive for me the gifts each person wants to give.
3 These are the gifts that you should receive from them: gold, silver, bronze;
4 blue, purple, and red thread; fine linen, goat hair,
5 sheepskins that are dyed red; fine leather; acacia wood;
6 olive oil to burn in the lamps; spices for sweet-smelling incense, and the special olive oil poured on a person's head to make him a priest;
7 onyx stones, and other jewels to be put on the holy vest and the chest covering.
8 "The people must build a holy place for me so that I can live among them.
9 Build this Holy Tent and everything in it by the plan I will show you.
10 "Use acacia wood and build an Ark forty-five inches long, twenty-seven inches wide, and twenty-seven inches high.
11 Cover the Ark inside and out with pure gold, and put a gold strip all around it.
12 Make four gold rings for the Ark and attach them to its four feet, two rings on each side.
13 Then make poles from acacia wood and cover them with gold.
14 Put the poles through the rings on the sides of the Ark, and use these poles to carry it.
15 These poles must always stay in the rings of the Ark. Do not take them out.
16 Then put in the Ark the Agreement which I will make with you.
17 "Then make a lid of pure gold for the Ark; this is the mercy seat. Make it forty-five inches long and twenty-seven inches wide.
18 Then hammer gold to make two creatures with wings, and put one on each end of the lid.
19 Attach one creature on one end of the lid and the other creature on the other end. Make them to be one piece with the lid at the ends.
20 The creatures' wings should be spread upward, covering the lid, and the creatures are to face each other across the lid.
21 Put this lid on top of the Ark, and put in the Ark the Agreement which I will make with you.
22 I will meet with you there, above the lid between the two winged creatures on the Ark of the Agreement. There I will give you all my commands for the Israelites.
23 "Make a table out of acacia wood, thirty-six inches long, eighteen inches wide, and twenty-seven inches high.
24 Cover it with pure gold, and put a gold strip around it.
25 Make a frame three inches high that stands up all around the edge, and put a gold strip around it.
26 Then make four gold rings. Attach them to the four corners of the table where the four legs are.
27 Put the rings close to the frame around the top of the table, because they will hold the poles for carrying it.
28 Make the poles out of acacia wood, cover them with gold, and carry the table with these poles.
29 Make the plates and bowls for the table, as well as the jars and cups, out of pure gold. They will be used for pouring out the drink offerings.
30 On this table put the bread that shows you are in my presence so that it is always there in front of me.
31 "Hammer pure gold to make a lampstand. Its base, stand, flower-like cups, buds, and petals must all be joined together in one piece.
32 The lampstand must have six branches going out from its sides -- three on one side and three on the other.
33 Each branch must have three cups shaped like almond flowers on it. Each cup must have a bud and a petal. Each of the six branches going out from the lampstand must be the same.
34 And there must be four more cups made like almond flowers on the lampstand itself. These cups must also have buds and petals.
35 Put a bud under each pair of branches that goes out from the lampstand. Each of the six branches going out from the lampstand must be the same.
36 The branches, buds, and lampstand must be made of one piece, hammered out of pure gold.
37 "Then make seven small oil lamps and put them on the lampstand so that they give light to the area in front of it.
38 The wick trimmers and trays must be made of pure gold.
39 Use seventy-five pounds of pure gold to make the lampstand and everything with it.
40 Be very careful to make them by the plan I showed you on the mountain.
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.