« | Hosea 12 | » |
1 Ephraim's food is the wind, he goes after the east wind all day long. He tells many lies and does much in his anger. He makes an agreement with Assyria and takes oil to Egypt.
2 The Lord has a cause against Judah, and will punish Jacob for his ways. He will make him pay for what he has done.
3 Before he was born he took his brother by the heel. And when he was grown he fought with God.
4 He fought with the angel and won. He cried and begged for His favor. He met God at Bethel, and God spoke with him there.
5 This was the Lord, the God of All. The Lord is His name.
6 So return to your God. Show kindness and do what is fair, and wait for your God all the time.
7 One who buys and sells and who lies about the weight of things loves to make it hard for others.
8 Ephraim has said, "I have become rich. I have found riches for myself. With all my riches they will not find any sin in me."
9 "I am the Lord your God Who brought you out of Egypt. I will make you live in tents again, as in the days of your special suppers.
10 I have spoken to the men who speak for Me. I have given many special dreams. And I gave picture-stories through the men who speak for Me."
11 Is there sin in Gilead? For sure its people are of no worth. In Gilgal they kill bulls in worship. Their altars are like the many stones laid beside a plowed field.
12 Jacob ran away to the land of Aram. There he worked for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.
13 By a man who spoke for Him, the Lord brought Israel from Egypt. And by a man who spoke for Him, the Lord cared for him.
14 But Ephraim has made the Lord very angry. So the Lord will leave on him the guilt of his blood, and make his shame return to him.
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.