« | Numbers 17 | » |
1 The Lord said to Moses,
2 "Speak to the people of Israel. Get walking sticks from them, one for each father's house. Get twelve walking sticks, from all their leaders by their fathers' houses. Write each man's name on his stick.
3 Write Aaron's name on the walking stick of Levi. For there will be one walking stick for the head of each father's house.
4 Then put them in the meeting tent before the Law, where I meet with you.
5 And the walking stick of the man I choose will begin to grow. In this way I will stop the complaining of the people of Israel, who are complaining against you."
6 So Moses spoke to the people of Israel. All their leaders each gave him a walking stick, one for each leader by their fathers' houses, twelve walking sticks. And the walking stick of Aaron was among their walking sticks.
7 Moses put the walking sticks before the Lord in the meeting tent of the Law.
8 The next day Moses went into the meeting tent of the Law. And he saw that the walking stick of Aaron for the house of Levi had begun to grow buds and flowers and almonds.
9 Moses brought out all the walking sticks from before the Lord to all the people of Israel. They looked, and each man took his stick.
10 But the Lord said to Moses, "Put the walking stick of Aaron in front of the Law again. It will be something special to see against those who go against My Word. Then you may put an end to their complaining against Me, so they will not die."
11 So Moses did this. He did just as the Lord had told him.
12 Then the people of Israel said to Moses, "See, we are being destroyed! We are dying! We are all dying!
13 Everyone who comes near, who comes near the meeting tent of the Lord, must die. Are we all to be destroyed?"
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.