« | Isaiah 23 | » |
1 The special word about Tyre: Cry out in sorrow, O ships of Tarshish. For Tyre is destroyed, so that there is no house or safe place for ships. It is made known to them from the land of Cyprus.
2 Be quiet, you people who live on the islands, you traders of Sidon. You sent men to cross the sea
3 and go on many waters. The grain of the Nile, that was gathered beside that River, made money for Tyre who was the trader of the nations.
4 Be ashamed, O Sidon, the strong-place of the sea. The sea speaks and says, "I have not suffered or given birth. I have not brought up young men or young women."
5 When the news comes to Egypt, they will be in pain when they hear about Tyre.
6 Pass over to Tarshish. Cry out in sorrow, O people of the islands.
7 Is this your joy-filled city, whose beginning was long ago, whose feet have taken her to live in places far away?
8 Who has planned this against Tyre, the giver of crowns, whose traders were princes and the honored of the earth?
9 The Lord of All has planned it, to put to shame the pride of all beauty, and to take honor away from all the honored of the earth.
10 Flow over your land like the Nile, O people of Tarshish. There is nothing holding you back any more.
11 He has put out His hand over the sea. He has made the nations shake with fear. The Lord has said that the strong-places of Canaan must be destroyed.
12 He has said, "You will not be filled with joy anymore, O pure crushed daughters of Sidon. Get up and go over to Cyprus. Even there you will not find any rest."
13 It was the Babylonians, not the Assyrians, who let the wild animals come upon Tyre. They built towers for their armies. They tore down her beautiful houses. They destroyed her.
14 Cry out in sorrow, O ships of Tarshish, for your strong-place is destroyed.
15 In that day Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years like the days of one king. At the end of seventy years it will happen to Tyre as in the song of the woman who sells the use of her body:
16 "Take your harp and walk through the city, O forgotten woman who sells the use of her body. Play the strings well. Sing many songs, that you may be remembered."
17 At the end of seventy years, the Lord will visit Tyre. Then she will return to her sinful woman's pay. She will be as a woman who sells the use of her body to all the nations on the earth.
18 Her riches and her pay for selling the use of her body will be set apart to the Lord. It will not be stored up or saved. But what she receives will give much food and good clothes to those who live for 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.