« | Exodus 37 | » |
1 Bezalel made the Ark of acacia wood; it was forty-five inches long, twenty-seven inches wide, and twenty-seven inches high.
2 He covered it, both inside and out, with pure gold, and he put a gold strip around it.
3 He made four gold rings for it and attached them to its four feet, with two rings on each side.
4 Then he made poles of acacia wood and covered them with gold.
5 He put the poles through the rings on each side of the Ark to carry it.
6 Then he made a lid of pure gold that was forty-five inches long and twenty-seven inches wide.
7 Then Bezalel hammered gold to make two creatures with wings and attached them to each end of the lid.
8 He made one creature on one end of the lid and the other creature on the other end. He attached them to the lid so that it would be one piece.
9 The creatures' wings were spread upward, covering the lid, and the creatures faced each other across the lid.
10 Then he made the table of acacia wood; it was thirty-six inches long, eighteen inches wide, and twenty-seven inches high.
11 He covered it with pure gold and put a gold strip around it.
12 He made a frame three inches high that stood up all around the edge, and he put a gold strip around it.
13 Then he made four gold rings for the table and attached them to the four corners of the table where the four legs were.
14 The rings were put close to the frame around the top of the table, because they held the poles for carrying it.
15 The poles for carrying the table were made of acacia wood and were covered with gold.
16 He made of pure gold all the things that were used on the table: the plates, bowls, cups, and jars used for pouring the drink offerings.
17 Then he made the lampstand of pure gold, hammering out its base and stand. Its flower-like cups, buds, and petals were joined together in one piece with the base and stand.
18 Six branches went out from the sides of the lampstand -- three on one side and three on the other.
19 Each branch had three cups shaped like almond flowers, and each cup had a bud and a petal. Each of the six branches going out from the lampstand was the same.
20 There were four more cups shaped like almond flowers on the lampstand itself, each with its buds and petals.
21 Three pairs of branches went out from the lampstand. A bud was under the place where each pair was attached to the lampstand. Each of the six branches going out from the lampstand was the same.
22 The buds, branches, and lampstand were all one piece of pure, hammered gold.
23 He made seven pure gold lamps for this lampstand, and he made pure gold wick trimmers and trays.
24 He used about seventy-five pounds of pure gold to make the lampstand and all the things that go with it.
25 Then he made the altar of incense out of acacia wood. It was square -- eighteen inches long and eighteen inches wide -- and it was thirty-six inches high. Each corner that stuck out like a horn was joined into one piece with the altar.
26 He covered the top and all the sides and the corners with pure gold, and he put gold trim around the altar.
27 He made two gold rings and put them below the trim on opposite sides of the altar; these rings held the poles for carrying it.
28 He made the poles of acacia wood and covered them with gold.
29 Then he made the holy olive oil for appointing the priests and the pure, sweet-smelling incense. He made them like a person who mixes perfumes.
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.