« | Numbers 31 | » |
1 The Lord spoke to Moses and said,
2 "Pay back the Midianites for what they did to the Israelites; after that you will die."
3 So Moses said to the people, "Get some men ready for war. The Lord will use them to pay back the Midianites.
4 Send to war a thousand men from each of the tribes of Israel."
5 So twelve thousand men got ready for war, a thousand men from each tribe.
6 Moses sent those men to war; Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest was with them. He took with him the holy things and the trumpets for giving the alarm.
7 They fought the Midianites as the Lord had commanded Moses, and they killed every Midianite man.
8 Among those they killed were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, who were the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with a sword.
9 The Israelites captured the Midianite women and children, and they took all their flocks, herds, and goods.
10 They burned all the Midianite towns where they had settled and all their camps,
11 but they took all the people and animals and goods.
12 Then they brought the captives, the animals, and the goods back to Moses and Eleazar the priest and all the Israelites. Their camp was on the plains of Moab near the Jordan River, across from Jericho.
13 Moses, Eleazar the priest, and all the leaders of the people went outside the camp to meet them.
14 Moses was angry with the army officers, the commanders over a thousand men, and those over a hundred men, who returned from war.
15 He asked them, "Why did you let the women live?
16 They were the ones who followed Balaam's advice and turned the Israelites from the Lord at Peor. Then a terrible sickness struck the Lord's people.
17 Kill all the Midianite boys, and kill all the Midianite women who have had sexual relations.
18 But save for yourselves the girls who have not had sexual relations with a man.
19 "All you men who killed anyone or touched a dead body must stay outside the camp for seven days. On the third and seventh days you and your captives must make yourselves clean.
20 You must clean all your clothes and anything made of leather, goat hair, or wood."
21 Then Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone to war, "These are the teachings that the Lord gave to Moses:
22 Put any gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, or lead --
23 anything that will not burn -- into the fire, and then it will be clean. But also purify those things with the cleansing water. Then they will be clean. If something cannot stand the fire, wash it with the water.
24 On the seventh day wash your clothes, and you will be clean. After that you may come into the camp."
25 The Lord said to Moses,
26 "You, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the family groups should take a count of the goods, the men, and the animals that were taken.
27 Then divide those possessions between the soldiers who went to war and the rest of the people.
28 From the soldiers who went to war, take a tax for the Lord of one item out of every five hundred. This includes people, cattle, donkeys, or sheep.
29 Take it from the soldiers' half, and give it to Eleazar the priest as the Lord's share.
30 And from the people's half, take one item out of every fifty. This includes people, cattle, donkeys, sheep, or other animals. Give that to the Levites, who take care of the Lord's Holy Tent."
31 So Moses and Eleazar did as the Lord commanded Moses.
32 There remained from what the soldiers had taken 675,000 sheep, 3372,000 cattle, 3461,000 donkeys,
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.