« | Exodus 26 | » |
1 "Make for the Holy Tent ten curtains of fine linen and blue, purple, and red thread. Have a skilled craftsman sew designs of creatures with wings on the pieces of cloth.
2 Make each curtain the same size -- forty-two feet long and six feet wide.
3 Sew five curtains together for one set, and sew the other curtains together for the second set.
4 Make loops of blue cloth on the edge of the end curtain of one set, and do the same for the end curtain of the other set.
5 Make fifty loops on the end curtain of the first set and fifty loops on the end curtain of the second set. These loops must be opposite each other.
6 And make fifty gold hooks to join the two sets of curtains so that the Holy Tent is one piece.
7 "Then make another tent that will cover the Holy Tent, using eleven curtains made from goat hair.
8 All these curtains must be the same size -- forty-five feet long and six feet wide.
9 Sew five of the curtains together into one set. Then sew the other six curtains together into the second set. Fold the sixth curtain double over the front of the Tent.
10 Make fifty loops down the edge of the end curtain of one set, and do the same for the end curtain of the other set.
11 Then make fifty bronze hooks and put them in the loops to join the tent together so that the covering is one piece.
12 Let the extra half piece of cloth hang over the back of the Holy Tent.
13 There will be eighteen inches hanging over the sides of the Holy Tent, to protect it.
14 Make a covering for the Holy Tent from sheepskins colored red, and over that make a covering from fine leather.
15 "Use acacia wood to make upright frames for the Holy Tent.
16 Each frame must be fifteen feet long and twenty-seven inches wide,
17 with two pegs side by side. Every frame must be made the same way.
18 Make twenty frames for the south side of the Holy Tent.
19 Each frame must have two silver bases to go under it, a peg fitting into each base. You must make forty silver bases for the frames.
20 Make twenty more frames for the north side of the Holy Tent
21 and forty silver bases for them -- two bases for each frame.
22 You must make six frames for the rear or west end of the Holy Tent
23 and two frames for each corner at the rear.
24 The two frames are to be doubled at the bottom and joined at the top with a metal ring. Both corner frames must be made this way.
25 So there will be a total of eight frames at the rear of the Tent, and there will be sixteen silver bases -- two bases under each frame.
26 "Make crossbars of acacia wood to connect the upright frames of the Holy Tent. Make five crossbars to hold the frames together on one side
27 and five to hold the frames together on the other side. Also make five crossbars to hold the frames together on the west end, at the rear.
28 The middle crossbar is to be set halfway up the frames, and it is to run along the entire length of each side and rear.
29 Make gold rings on the sides of the frames to hold the crossbars, and cover the frames and the crossbars with gold.
30 Set up the Holy Tent by the plan shown to you on the mountain.
31 "Make a curtain of fine linen and blue, purple, and red thread, and have a skilled craftsman sew designs of creatures with wings on it.
32 Hang the curtain by gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood that are covered with gold, and set them in four silver bases.
33 Hang the curtain from the hooks in the roof, and put the Ark of the Agreement containing the two stone tablets behind it. This curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.
34 Put the lid on the Ark of the Agreement in the Most Holy Place.
35 "Outside the curtain, put the table on the north side of the Holy Tent. Put the lampstand on the south side of the Holy Tent across from the table.
36 "Then, for the entrance of the Tent, make a curtain with fine linen and blue, purple, and red thread. Someone who can sew well is to sew designs on it.
37 Make five posts of acacia wood covered with gold. Make gold hooks for them on which to hang the curtain, and make five bronze bases for them.
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.