Leviticus 1 | » |
1 The Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the meeting tent, saying,
2 " Speak to the people of Israel. Tell them, ' When any ofyou bring a gift in worship to the Lord, bring your gift of animals from the herd or the flock.
3 If his gift is a burnt gift from the cattle, he should bring a male that is perfect. He should give it at the door of the meeting tent, so he will be pleasing to the Lord.
4 He will lay his hand on the head of the burnt gift and it will be received to take away his sins.
5 He will kill the young bull before the Lord. Then Aaron' s sons, the religious leaders, will take the blood and put it around on the altar that is at the door of the meeting tent.
6 He will skin the burnt gift and cut it into pieces.
7 The sons of Aaron the religious leader will put fire on the altar and lay wood on the fire.
8 Then Aaron' s sons, the religious leaders, will lay the pieces, the head and the fat on the wood that is on the altar fire.
9 But he will wash its legs and inside parts with water. Then the religious leader will burn all of it on the altar as a burnt gift. It will be a gift by fire, a pleasing smell to the Lord.
10 'If his gift is a burnt gift from the sheep or the goats of the flock, he should give a male that is perfect.
11 He should kill it on the north side of the altar before the Lord. Aaron's sons, the religious leaders, will put its blood around on the altar.
12 Then he will cut it into pieces with its head and its fat. And the religious leader will lay them on the wood that is on the altar fire.
13 But he will wash the legs and inside parts with water. The religious leader will burn all of it on the altar as a burnt gift. It will be a gift by fire, a pleasing smell to the Lord.
14 'If his gift is a burnt gift of birds, he should bring his gift from the turtle-doves or young pigeons.
15 The religious leader will bring it to the altar and take off its head. Then he will burn it on the altar. Its blood will flow down on the side of the altar.
16 He will take the part of its body where the food it eats is kept and with its feathers throw them on the ashes on the east side of the altar.
17 Then he will tear it by its wings, but not divide it. And the religious leader will burn it on the altar as a burnt gift. It will be a gift by fire, a pleasing smell to 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.