« | Jeremiah 18 | » |
1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord saying,
2 "Go down to the pot-maker's house, and there I will let you hear My words."
3 So I went down to the pot-maker's house, and saw him making one on the wheel.
4 But the pot he was making of clay did not come out like he wanted it. So the pot-maker used the clay to make another pot that pleased him.
5 Then the Word of the Lord came to me saying,
6 "O people of Israel, can I not do with you as this potmaker has done?" says the Lord. "Like the clay in the pot-maker's hand, so are you in My hand, O people of Israel.
7 If at any time I speak about a nation, to pull up, and to break down and to destroy,
8 and if that nation I spoke against turns from its sin, then I will change My mind about the trouble I planned to bring upon it.
9 If at another time I speak about a nation, that I will build and plant it,
10 and if it does what is sinful in My eyes by not obeying My voice, then I will change My mind about the good I had promised to bring to it.
11 So now speak to the men of Judah and the people of Jerusalem. Tell them, 'The Lord says, "See, I am making trouble for you and making a plan against you. So each of you turn from your sinful way. Change your ways and your works." '
12 But they will say, 'There is no hope! For we are going to follow our own plans. Each of us will act in the strong-will of his sinful heart.'
13 "So the Lord says, 'Ask now among the nations: Who has heard such things? Pure Israel has done a very sinful thing.
14 Does the snow of Lebanon ever leave its rocky mountains? Does the cold flowing water of other lands ever dry up?
15 But My people have forgotten Me. They burn special perfume to false gods of no worth. They have fallen in their ways, from the old paths, and have gone on side roads, not on the straight road.
16 They make their land a waste, a thing that is spoken against forever. Everyone who passes by it will be surprised and shake his head.
17 I will send them out everywhere like an east wind in front of those who hate them. I will show them My back and not My face in the day of their trouble.' "
18 They said, "Come and let us make plans against Jeremiah. For the Law is not going to be lost to the religious leader, or wise words to the wise man, or the Word of God to the man of God! Come and let us hurt him with our tongue, and let us not listen to any of his words."
19 Think of me, O Lord, and listen to what those who hate me are saying!
20 Should bad be given in return for good? Yet they have dug a deep hole for me. Remember how I stood before You to speak good for them, to turn Your anger away from them.
21 So give their children over to hunger. Give them up to the power of the sword. Let their wives lose their children and husbands. Let their men be put to death. And let their young men be killed by the sword in battle.
22 May a cry be heard from their houses when You bring an army upon them by surprise. For they have dug a deep hole to take me, and have hidden traps for my feet.
23 Yet You, O Lord, know all their plans to kill me. Do not forgive their wrong-doing or cover their sin from Your eyes. Let them be taken down before You. Punish them in the time of Your anger.
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.