« | Isaiah 48 | » |
1 "Hear this, O family of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and who come from the seed of Judah. They make promises in the name of the Lord, and call upon the God of Israel, but not in truth or by what is right and good.
2 For they call themselves people of the holy city, and trust in the God of Israel. The Lord of All is His name.
3 I made known the things that would happen long ago. From My mouth My words went out. Then all at once I did what I said I would, and they came to pass.
4 I know that your heart is hard. Your neck is like iron, and your forehead is like brass.
5 So I made them known to you long ago. I told you before they happened, or else you might say, 'My false god has done them. My objects of worship have made them happen.'
6 You have heard, now look at all this. And will you say that you will not tell about it? I tell you new things from this time on, even hidden things which you have not known.
7 They are made now, not long ago. Before today you have never heard of them, or you would say, 'See, I knew them.'
8 You have not heard. You have not known. Even from long ago your ear has not been open, because I knew that you could not be trusted. You have been known to fight against the law and not obey from birth.
9 Because of My name I hold back My anger. For My praise I keep Myself from cutting you off.
10 See, I have tested you, but not as silver. I have tested you in the fire of suffering.
11 For My own good, for My own good, I will do this. For why should I allow My name to be put to shame? I will not give My shining-greatness to another.
12 "Listen to Me, O Jacob, and Israel whom I called. I am He. I am the first, and I am the last.
13 My hand put the earth in its place. And My right hand spread out the heavens. When I call to them, they stand together.
14 Gather together, all of you, and listen! Who among them has made these things known? The Lord loves him. He will do to Babylon what pleases him, and his arm will be against the Babylonians.
15 I, even I, have spoken. Yes, I have called him, I have brought him, and he will do well.
16 Come near to Me and listen to this: From the beginning I have not spoken in secret. From the time it came to be, I was there. And now the Lord God has sent me and His Spirit."
17 The Lord Who bought you and saves you, the Holy One of Israel, says, "I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to do well, Who leads you in the way you should go.
18 If only you had listened to My Laws! Then your peace would have been like a river and your right-standing with God would have been like the waves of the sea.
19 Your children's children would have been like the sand. Those born to you would have been like the sand. Their name would never be cut off or destroyed from before Me."
20 Go out from Babylon! Run from the Babylonians! Call out for joy and let this be known to the end of the earth, saying, "The Lord has bought and set free His servant Jacob!"
21 They were not thirsty when He led them through the deserts. He made water flow out of the rock for them. He broke the rock, and the water flowed out.
22 "There is no peace for the sinful," says 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.