« | Numbers 10 | » |
1 The Lord said to Moses,
2 "Make two trumpets of hammered silver, and use them to call the people together and to march out of camp.
3 When both trumpets are blown, the people should gather before you at the entrance to the Meeting Tent.
4 If you blow only one trumpet, the leaders, the heads of the family groups of Israel, should meet before you.
5 When you loudly blow the trumpets, the tribes camping on the east should move.
6 When you loudly blow them again, the tribes camping on the south should move; the loud sound will tell them to move.
7 When you want to gather the people, blow the trumpets, but don't blow them as loudly.
8 "Aaron's sons, the priests, should blow the trumpets. This is a law for you and your descendants from now on.
9 When you are fighting an enemy who attacks you in your own land, blow the trumpets loudly. The Lord your God will take notice of you and will save you from your enemies.
10 Also blow your trumpets at happy times and during your feasts and at New Moon festivals. Blow them over your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, because they will help you remember your God. I am the Lord your God."
11 The cloud lifted from the Tent of the Agreement on the twentieth day of the second month of the second year.
12 So the Israelites moved from the Desert of Sinai and continued until the cloud stopped in the Desert of Paran.
13 This was their first time to move, and they did it as the Lord had commanded Moses.
14 The divisions from the camp of Judah moved first under their flag. Nahshon son of Amminadab was the commander.
15 Nethanel son of Zuar was over the division of the tribe of Issachar.
16 Eliab son of Helon was over the division of the tribe of Zebulun.
17 Then the Holy Tent was taken down, and the Gershonites and Merarites, who carried it, moved next.
18 Then came the divisions from the camp of Reuben under their flag, and Elizur son of Shedeur was the commander.
19 Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai was over the division of the tribe of Simeon.
20 Eliasaph son of Deuel was over the division of the tribe of Gad.
21 Then came the Kohathites, who carried the holy things; the Holy Tent was to be set up before they arrived.
22 Next came the divisions from the camp of Ephraim under their flag, and Elishama son of Ammihud was the commander.
23 Gamaliel son of Pedahzur was over the division of the tribe of Manasseh,
24 and Abidan son of Gideoni was over the division of the tribe of Benjamin.
25 The last ones were the rear guard for all the tribes. These were the divisions from the camp of Dan under their flag, and Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai was the commander.
26 Pagiel son of Ocran was over the division of the tribe of Asher;
27 Ahira son of Enan was over the division of the tribe of Naphtali.
28 This was the order the Israelite divisions marched in when they moved.
29 Hobab was the son of Reuel the Midianite, who was Moses' father-in-law. Moses said to Hobab, "We are moving to the land the Lord promised to give us. Come with us and we will be good to you, because the Lord has promised good things to Israel."
30 But Hobab answered, "No, I will not go. I will go back to my own land where I was born."
31 But Moses said, "Please don't leave us. You know where we can camp in the desert, and you can be our guide.
32 Come with us. We will share with you all the good things the Lord gives us."
33 So they left the mountain of the Lord and traveled for three days. The Ark of the Lord's Agreement went in front of the people for those three days, as they looked for a place to camp.
34 The Lord's cloud was over them during the day when they left their camp.
35 When the Ark left the camp, Moses said, "Rise up, Lord! Scatter your enemies: make those who hate you run from you."
36 And when the Ark was set down, Moses said, "Return, Lord, to the thousands of people of Israel."
The New Century Version (NCV)
The New Century Version (NCV) is a contemporary English translation of the Bible designed to be easily understandable and accessible to a broad audience. First published in 1987 by Thomas Nelson, the NCV originated from a project aimed at creating a simplified English translation for children. Over time, the scope of the translation expanded to cater to readers of all ages, including those with limited English proficiency and those new to the Bible. The NCV’s primary goal is to communicate the truths of Scripture in clear, everyday language that resonates with modern readers.
A notable feature of the NCV is its use of dynamic equivalence, or thought-for-thought translation philosophy. This approach prioritizes conveying the meaning and intent of the original texts over maintaining a strict word-for-word correspondence. By doing so, the NCV aims to make the Bible’s messages more relatable and easier to understand, especially for those who may find traditional translations challenging. The translation team worked diligently to balance accuracy with readability, ensuring that the essence of the biblical texts is preserved while making them more accessible to contemporary audiences.
The NCV also includes various study aids and features designed to enhance comprehension and engagement with the biblical text. These include introductions to each book of the Bible, footnotes that provide historical and cultural context, and cross-references that help readers see connections between different parts of Scripture. Additionally, the NCV often employs gender-neutral language where appropriate, aiming to be inclusive and respectful of modern sensibilities while remaining faithful to the original texts.
Despite its strengths, the New Century Version has faced some criticism from those who prefer more traditional or literal translations. Critics argue that the dynamic equivalence approach can sometimes result in a loss of nuance and depth found in the original languages. Additionally, some theologians express concern that the simplified language may not fully capture the richness and complexity of certain theological concepts. Nonetheless, the NCV remains a valuable resource for many readers, particularly those seeking a clear and approachable version of the Bible that helps them connect with and understand its timeless messages.