« | Isaiah 29 | » |
1 How terrible it will be for you, Jerusalem, the city where David camped. Your festivals have continued year after year.
2 I will attack Jerusalem, and that city will be filled with sadness and crying. It will be like an altar to me.
3 I will put armies all around you, Jerusalem; I will surround you with towers and with devices to attack you.
4 You will be pulled down and will speak from the ground; I will hear your voice rising from the ground. It will sound like the voice of a ghost; your words will come like a whisper from the dirt.
5 Your many enemies will become like fine dust; the many cruel people will be like chaff that is blown away. Everything will happen very quickly.
6 The Lord All-Powerful will come with thunder, earthquakes, and great noises, with storms, strong winds, and a fire that destroys.
7 Then all the nations that fight against Jerusalem will be like a dream; all the nations that attack her will be like a vision in the night.
8 They will be like a hungry man who dreams he is eating, but when he awakens, he is still hungry. They will be like a thirsty man who dreams he is drinking, but when he awakens, he is still weak and thirsty. It will be the same way with all the nations who fight against Mount Zion.
9 Be surprised and amazed. Blind yourselves so that you cannot see. Become drunk, but not from wine. Trip and fall, but not from beer.
10 The Lord has made you go into a deep sleep. He has closed your eyes. (The prophets are your eyes.) He has covered your heads. (The seers are your heads.)
11 This vision is like the words of a book that is closed and sealed. You may give the book to someone who can read and tell that person to read it. But he will say, "I can't read the book, because it is sealed."
12 Or you may give the book to someone who cannot read and tell him to read it. But he will say, "I don't know how to read."
13 The Lord says: "These people say they love me; they show honor to me with words, but their hearts are far from me. The honor they show me is nothing but human rules.
14 So I will continue to amaze these people by doing more and more miracles. Their wise men will lose their wisdom; their wise men will not be able to understand."
15 How terrible it will be for those who try to hide things from the Lord and who do their work in darkness. They think no one will see them or know what they do.
16 You are confused. You think the clay is equal to the potter. You think that an object can tell the one who made it, "You didn't make me." This is like a pot telling its maker, "You don't know anything."
17 In a very short time, Lebanon will become rich farmland, and the rich farmland will seem like a forest.
18 At that time the deaf will hear the words in a book. Instead of having darkness and gloom, the blind will see.
19 The Lord will make the poor people happy; they will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
20 Then the people without mercy will come to an end; those who do not respect God will disappear. Those who enjoy doing evil will be gone:
21 those who lie about others in court, those who trap people in court, those who lie and take justice from innocent people in court.
22 This is what the Lord who set Abraham free says to the family of Jacob: "Now the people of Jacob will not be ashamed or disgraced any longer.
23 When they see all their children, the children I made with my hands, they will say my name is holy. They will agree that the Holy One of Jacob is holy, and they will respect the God of Israel.
24 People who do wrong will now understand. Those who complain will accept being taught."
The New Century Version (NCV)
The New Century Version (NCV) is a contemporary English translation of the Bible designed to be easily understandable and accessible to a broad audience. First published in 1987 by Thomas Nelson, the NCV originated from a project aimed at creating a simplified English translation for children. Over time, the scope of the translation expanded to cater to readers of all ages, including those with limited English proficiency and those new to the Bible. The NCV’s primary goal is to communicate the truths of Scripture in clear, everyday language that resonates with modern readers.
A notable feature of the NCV is its use of dynamic equivalence, or thought-for-thought translation philosophy. This approach prioritizes conveying the meaning and intent of the original texts over maintaining a strict word-for-word correspondence. By doing so, the NCV aims to make the Bible’s messages more relatable and easier to understand, especially for those who may find traditional translations challenging. The translation team worked diligently to balance accuracy with readability, ensuring that the essence of the biblical texts is preserved while making them more accessible to contemporary audiences.
The NCV also includes various study aids and features designed to enhance comprehension and engagement with the biblical text. These include introductions to each book of the Bible, footnotes that provide historical and cultural context, and cross-references that help readers see connections between different parts of Scripture. Additionally, the NCV often employs gender-neutral language where appropriate, aiming to be inclusive and respectful of modern sensibilities while remaining faithful to the original texts.
Despite its strengths, the New Century Version has faced some criticism from those who prefer more traditional or literal translations. Critics argue that the dynamic equivalence approach can sometimes result in a loss of nuance and depth found in the original languages. Additionally, some theologians express concern that the simplified language may not fully capture the richness and complexity of certain theological concepts. Nonetheless, the NCV remains a valuable resource for many readers, particularly those seeking a clear and approachable version of the Bible that helps them connect with and understand its timeless messages.