« | Ezekiel 19 | » |
1 "As for you, sing a song of sorrow for the leaders of Israel,
2 and say: 'What was your mother? A female lion among lions! She lay down with young lions. She raised her young ones.
3 She brought up one of her little ones, and he became a lion. He learned to catch his food. He ate men.
4 The nations heard about him, and he was caught in their trap. And they brought him with hooks to the land of Egypt.
5 Your mother waited until she saw that her hope was lost. Then she took another of her little ones and made him a young lion.
6 He walked up and down among the lions. He became a young lion and learned to catch his food. He ate men.
7 He wrecked their strong towers and destroyed their cities. The land and all who were in it were filled with fear because of the loud noise he made.
8 Then the nations came against him from their lands all around. They spread their net over him, and he was caught in their trap.
9 They put him in a prison with chains and brought him to the king of Babylon. They put him in prison so that his voice would never be heard again on the mountains of Israel.
10 Your mother was like a vine in your grape-field, planted by the water. It gave much fruit and was full of branches because there was much water.
11 Its branches were strong enough to be made into sticks held by rulers to show their power. It grew as high as the clouds. Everyone saw how high it was and that it had many branches.
12 But it was pulled up by the roots in anger and thrown down to the ground. The east wind dried up its fruit. Its strong branch was torn off so that it dried up. And fire destroyed it.
13 Now it is planted in the desert, in a dry and thirsty land.
14 Fire has spread from its largest branch and has destroyed its young branches and its fruit. No strong branch is left on it to be made into a stick for a ruler.' This is a song of sorrow, and is to be used as a death song."
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.