« | Ezekiel 35 | » |
1 The Word of the Lord came to me saying,
2 "Son of man, look toward Mount Seir and speak against it,
3 saying, 'The Lord God says, "I am against you, Mount Seir. I will put out My hand against you and make you a waste land.
4 I will destroy your cities, and you will become a waste. Then you will know that I am the Lord.
5 You have always hated the people of Israel and have given them over to be killed at the time of their trouble, at the time of the punishment of the end.
6 So as I live," says the Lord God, "I will give you over to death, and you will not get away from death. Since you have not hated killing, death will come after you.
7 I will destroy Mount Seir and make it a waste. And I will kill all who travel through it.
8 I will fill its mountains with its dead. Those killed by the sword will fall on your hills and in your valleys.
9 I will destroy you forever, and no one will live in your cities. Then you will know that I am the Lord.
10 "You have said, 'These two nations and these two lands will be mine, and we will own them,' even when the Lord was there.
11 So as I live," says the Lord God, "I will punish you for your anger and the jealousy you showed because of your hate toward them. And I will make Myself known among them when I judge you.
12 Then you will know that I, the Lord, have heard all the bad things you have said against the mountains of Israel. You have said, 'They are destroyed. They are given to us for food.'
13 You have spoken in pride against Me, with many words and I have heard you."
14 The Lord God says, "While the whole earth is filled with joy, I will destroy you.
15 As you had joy because the land of Israel was destroyed, so I will do to you. You will be destroyed, O Mount Seir, and all Edom, all of it. Then they will know that I am the Lord." '
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.