« | Isaiah 13 | » |
1 The special word about Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw:
2 Lift up a flag on the hill without trees. Call out to the people. Wave the hand for them to go into the gates of the princes.
3 I have told My holy ones, and My powerful soldiers who take pride in their strength, to carry out My anger.
4 Listen to the noise on the mountains, like that of many people! Listen to the loud sound of the many people, of nations gathered together! The Lord of All is gathering an army for battle.
5 They are coming from a far country, from the end of the heavens. The Lord and all He is using to show His anger are coming to destroy the whole land.
6 Cry out in sorrow, for the day of the Lord is near! It will come as a destroying power from the All-powerful.
7 So all hands will become weak, and every man's heart will melt.
8 They will be filled with fear. Pain and suffering will take hold of them. They will suffer like a woman giving birth. They will look surprised at one another, their faces burning.
9 See, the day of the Lord is coming, without pity and with much anger. He is coming to destroy the land and its sinners from it.
10 The stars of heaven and every group of stars will not give out their light. The sun will be dark when it comes up, and the moon will not give its light.
11 This is how I will punish the world for its sin, and the sinful for their wrong-doing.I will also put an end to those who are proud. And I will put to shame those who make it hard for others and show no pity.
12 I will make men so few that they will be of more worth than pure gold, even the gold of Ophir.
13 I will make the heavens shake. And the earth will be shaken from its place with the anger of the Lord of All in the day of His burning anger.
14 Every man will turn to his own people and run to his own land like a hunted gazelle or like sheep with no shepherd.
15 Anyone who is found will have a spear put through him. And anyone who is caught will fall by the sword.
16 Their little ones will be broken in pieces in front of their eyes. Their things will be taken from their houses. And their wives will be carried away.
17 See, I am going to make the Medes go against them, who will not want silver or be happy with gold.
18 Their bows will cut down the young men. They will have no pity on babies. Their eyes will not pity children.
19 And Babylon, the beauty of nations, the shining-greatness and pride of the Babylonians, will be as when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.
20 People will never live in it again, even all the people-to-come.No Arab will set up his tent there. No shepherds will make their flocks lie down there.
21 But wild animals of the desert will lie down there. Their houses will be full of owls. Ostriches will live there, and wild goats will play there.
22 Hyenas will make noise in their strong towers, and wild dogs in their beautiful houses. The end of her time is near. Her days will be few.
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.