« | Exodus 5 | » |
1 After Moses and Aaron talked to the people, they went to the king of Egypt and said, "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: 'Let my people go so they may hold a feast for me in the desert.'"
2 But the king of Egypt said, "Who is the Lord? Why should I obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go."
3 Then Aaron and Moses said, "The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Now let us travel three days into the desert to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God. If we don't do this, he may kill us with a disease or in war."
4 But the king said to them, "Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their work? Go back to your jobs!
5 There are very many Hebrews, and now you want them to quit working!"
6 That same day the king gave a command to the slave masters and foremen.
7 He said, "Don't give the people straw to make bricks as you used to do. Let them gather their own straw.
8 But they must still make the same number of bricks as they did before. Do not accept fewer. They have become lazy, and that is why they are asking me, 'Let us go to offer sacrifices to our God.'
9 Make these people work harder and keep them busy; then they will not have time to listen to the lies of Moses."
10 So the slave masters and foremen went to the Israelites and said, "This is what the king says: I will no longer give you straw.
11 Go and get your own straw wherever you can find it. But you must make as many bricks as you made before."
12 So the people went everywhere in Egypt looking for dry stalks to use for straw.
13 The slave masters kept forcing the people to work harder. They said, "You must make just as many bricks as you did when you were given straw."
14 The king's slave masters had made the Israelite foremen responsible for the work the people did. The Egyptian slave masters beat these men and asked them, "Why aren't you making as many bricks as you made in the past?"
15 Then the Israelite foremen went to the king and complained, "Why are you treating us, your servants, this way?
16 You give us no straw, but we are commanded to make bricks. Our slave masters beat us, but it is your own people's fault."
17 The king answered, "You are lazy! You don't want to work! That is why you ask to leave here and make sacrifices to the Lord.
18 Now, go back to work! We will not give you any straw, but you must make just as many bricks as you did before."
19 The Israelite foremen knew they were in trouble, because the king had told them, "You must make just as many bricks each day as you did before."
20 As they were leaving the meeting with the king, they met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them.
21 So they said to Moses and Aaron, "May the Lord punish you. You caused the king and his officers to hate us. You have given them an excuse to kill us."
22 Then Moses returned to the Lord and said, "Lord, why have you brought this trouble on your people? Is this why you sent me here?
23 I went to the king and said what you told me to say, but ever since that time he has made the people suffer. And you have done nothing to save 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.