« | Ezekiel 25 | » |
1 The Word of the Lord came to me saying,
2 "Son of man, look toward the Ammonites and speak against them.
3 Tell them, 'Hear the Word of the Lord God! The Lord God says, "Because you were happy when My holy place was made unclean, and when the land of Israel was made waste, and when the people of Judah were taken away,
4 I am going to give you to the people of the east. They will put up their tents among you and live among you. They will eat your fruit and drink your milk.
5 I will turn the city of Rabbah into a field for camels, and Ammon into a resting place for flocks. Then you will know that I am the Lord."
6 For the Lord God says, "Because you have clapped your hands and crushed under your feet and showed your joy because of your hate for Israel,
7 I have put out My hand against you. I will give you away to the nations. And I will destroy you from the nations and from the lands. Then you will know that I am the Lord."
8 'The Lord God says, "Because Moab and Seir say, 'See, Judah is like all the nations,'
9 I will lay waste the side of Moab, beginning with these cities there, Beth-jeshimoth, Baalmeon, and Kiriathaim, the best of the country.
10 I will give it to the people of the east, as I did with Ammon, so that the Ammonites will not be remembered among the nations.
11 I will punish Moab, and they will know that I am the Lord."
12 'The Lord God says, "Because Edom has fought against Judah in its anger, and has become very guilty by doing so,"
13 the Lord God says, "I will put out My hand against Edom and kill its men and their animals. I will destroy it and they will fall by the sword from Teman to Dedan.
14 I will punish Edom by the hand of My people Israel. They will act in My anger against Edom, and Edom will know My anger," says the Lord God.
15 'The Lord God says, "Because the Philistines have fought to destroy Judah with the lasting anger that is in their hearts,"
16 the Lord God says, "I will put out My hand against the Philistines. And I will destroy the Cherethites and those left beside the sea.
17 I will punish them in My anger, and they will know that I am the Lord when I punish them." ' "
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.