« | Ezekiel 26 | » |
1 In the eleventh year, on the first day of the month, the Word of the Lord came to me saying,
2 "Son of man, Tyre has said this about Jerusalem, 'O, the gate to the nations is broken. It has opened to me. I will do well, now that she is laid waste.'
3 So the Lord God says, 'I am against you, O Tyre. And I will bring up many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves.
4 They will destroy the walls of Tyre and break down her towers. Then I will clean away what is left from her and make her nothing but rock.
5 She will be a place to spread fish nets out in the sea, for I have spoken,' says the Lord God. 'The nations will take her riches.
6 And her villages on the land across the sea from her will be destroyed by the sword. Then they will know that I am the Lord.' "
7 For the Lord God says, "I will bring Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, against Tyre from the north. He will come with horses, war-wagons, horsemen, and a large army.
8 And he will kill with the sword those in your villages. He will build battle-walls around you. He will build up earth so they can go over your walls. He will build walls and make battle-coverings around you.
9 He will roll down large objects to knock down your walls, and will break down your towers with axes.
10 There will be so many horses that you will be covered by their dust. Your walls will shake at the noise of the horsemen and wheels and warwagons, when he comes through your gates as men come into a city that has been broken open.
11 The feet of his horses will run all over your streets. He will kill your people with the sword, and your strong pillars will fall to the ground.
12 They will take your riches and good things as prizes of war. They will break down your walls and destroy your beautiful houses. And they will throw your stones and wood into the sea.
13 I will put an end to the music of your songs. And the sound of your harps will be heard no more.
14 I will make you nothing but rock. You will be a place for nets to be spread. You will never be built again, for I the Lord have spoken," says the Lord God.
15 The Lord God says to Tyre, "Will not the lands beside the sea shake at the sound of your fall, when those who have been hurt cry in pain, when your people are killed?
16 Then all the leaders of the sea will step down from their thrones and take off their beautiful clothing. They will clothe themselves with fear. They will sit on the ground and not be able to stop shaking, full of fear and wonder because of you.
17 They will cry in sorrow for you and say, 'How you have been destroyed from the seas, O well-known city where many people once lived! You were powerful on the sea. You and all your people who lived here were filled with fear.
18 Now the islands shake in fear on the day of your fall. Yes, the lands which are by the sea are afraid because of how you are destroyed.' "
19 The Lord God says, "I will lay waste your city and make you like a destroyed city where no one lives. I will bring up the deep sea over you, and the many waters will cover you.
20 Then I will send you down with those who go down to the grave, to the people of long ago. I will make you stay in the lower parts of the earth, like in waste places of long ago, with those who go down to the grave. So you will not have people living in you, and you will not have a place in the land of the living.
21 I will fill you with fear and destroy you. People will look for you, but you will never be found again," says the Lord God.
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.