« | Numbers 12 | » |
1 Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite woman.
2 They said, "Is it true that the Lord has spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?" And the Lord heard it.
3 Now Moses was a man with no pride, more so than any man on the earth.
4 At once the Lord said to Moses and Aaron and Miriam, "You three come out to the meeting tent." So the three of them came out.
5 Then the Lord came down in a cloud and stood at the door of the meeting tent, and called Aaron and Miriam. When both of them had come near,
6 the Lord said, "Now listen to Me. If there is a man who speaks for God among you, I the Lord will make Myself known to him in a special dream. I will speak with him in a dream.
7 Not so, with My servant Moses. He is faithful in all My house.
8 With him I speak face to face in ways he understands, and not in ways he does not understand. And he sees what the Lord is like. Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?"
9 The Lord was angry with them, and He left.
10 When the cloud lifted from over the meeting tent, Miriam had a very bad skin disease. She was as white as snow. Aaron turned toward Miriam and saw that she had a bad skin disease.
11 Then Aaron said to Moses, "O, my lord, I beg you. Do not punish us because we have been foolish and have sinned.
12 Let her not be like one who is dead, whose flesh is half eaten away when he is born!"'
13 And Moses cried to the Lord, saying, "O God, heal her, I pray!"
14 But the Lord said to Moses, "If her father had only spit in her face, would she not carry her shame for seven days? Let her be shut up for seven days away from the tents. After that, she may be brought in again."
15 So Miriam was shut up away from the tents for seven days. And the people did not travel on until Miriam was brought in again.
16 The people moved from Hazeroth after that. And they set up their tents in the desert of Paran.
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.