« | Isaiah 6 | » |
1 In the year of King Uzziah's death, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and honored. His long clothing spread out and filled the house of God.
2 Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings. With two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
3 One called out to another and said, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of All. The whole earth is full of His shining-greatness."
4 And the base of the doorways shook at the voice of him who called out, while the house of God was filled with smoke.
5 Then I said, "It is bad for me, for I am destroyed! Because I am a man whose lips are unclean. And I live among a people whose lips are unclean. For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of All."
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, with a burning coal which he had taken from the altar using a special tool.
7 He touched my mouth with it, and said, "See, this has touched your lips, and your guilt is taken away. Your sin is forgiven."
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom should I send? Who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
9 He said, "Go, and tell these people, 'You hear and hear but do not understand. You look and look but do not see.'
10 Make the hearts of these people hard. May their ears hear little and their eyes see little. Or they will see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts, and turn again and be healed."
11 Then I said, "Lord, how long?" And He answered, "Until cities are destroyed and empty, and until houses are without people and the land is laid waste.
12 Until the Lord has taken men far away, and there are many places with no people in the land.
13 Yet one tenth part of the people will stay in it. But it will be burned again, like an oak tree whose roots are still there when it is cut down. The holy seed is all that will be left (of Israel)."
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.