« | Isaiah 41 | » |
1 "Islands, be quiet and listen to Me. Let the people get new strength. Let them come near, then let them speak. Let us come together to be judged.
2 Who has called this one from the east, one who is right at every step? He gives up nations in front of him and makes him ruler over kings. He makes them like dust with his sword, and like wind-blown dry grass with his bow.
3 He goes after them and is safe as he passes, on paths he has not gone on before.
4 Who has done this, calling out all the people from the beginning? I, the Lord, am the first, and with the last. I am He."
5 The islands have seen and are afraid. The ends of the earth shake in fear and they have come.
6 Every one helps each other, and says to his brother, "Be strong!"
7 The able workman gives strength of heart to the one who works with gold. He who makes iron smooth gives strength of heart to the one who beats the iron, saying of his work, "It is good." And he puts it in its place with nails so that it cannot be moved.
8 "But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, son of My friend Abraham,
9 I have taken you from the ends of the earth. I have called you from its farthest parts, and said to you, 'You are My servant. I have chosen you and have not turned away from you.'
10 Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will give you strength, and for sure I will help you. Yes, I will hold you up with My right hand that is right and good.
11 See, all those who are angry with you will be put to shame and troubled. Those who fight against you will be as nothing and will be lost.
12 You will look for those who argue with you, but will not find them. Those who war against you will be as nothing, as nothing at all.
13 For I am the Lord your God Who holds your right hand, and Who says to you, 'Do not be afraid. I will help you.'
14 Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel. I will help you," says the Lord. "The One Who bought you and sets you free is the Holy One of Israel.
15 See, I have made you a new, sharp, crushing tool with teeth. You will beat the mountains and crush them. You will make the hills like dry grass.
16 You will make the wind blow over them, and it will carry them away. The storm will send them everywhere. But you will have joy in the Lord. You will be glad in the Holy One of Israel.
17 "The suffering and those in need look for water, but there is none. Their tongue is dry with thirst. I the Lord will answer them. I the God of Israel will not leave them alone.
18 I will open rivers on the dry mountain tops, and give water in the valleys. I will make the desert a pool of water, and the dry land wells of water.
19 I will put in the desert the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive tree. I will put the juniper tree in the desert, together with the box tree and the cypress.
20 Then men will see and know and think about and understand that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has made it happen.
21 "Let your cause be known," says the Lord. "Bring what you have to prove it," says the King of Jacob.
22 Let them bring what they have, and tell us what is going to happen. Let them tell us what has happened in the past, that we may think about it and know what will happen in the future.
23 Tell us what will happen after this, that we may know that you are gods. Yes, do good or bad, that we may together be afraid and fear.
24 See, you are nothing. And your work is nothing. He who chooses you is hated and sinful.
25 "I have called one from the north, and he has come. From the rising of the sun he will call on My name. He will step hard on rulers as on builder's clay, as the pot-maker steps hard on clay."
26 Who has said this from the beginning, that we might know, or from times long ago, that we might say, "He is right"? There was no one who said it, no one who made it known, no one who heard your words.
27 "Before I had said to Zion, 'See, here they are,' and to Jerusalem, 'I will send someone to bring good news.'
28 But I see that there is no one, even no wise man among them, who can answer My questions.
29 See, all of them are false. Their works are nothing. Their objects of worship are empty wind.
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.