« | Numbers 34 | » |
1 The Lord said to Moses,
2 "Give this command to the people of Israel: 'You will soon enter Canaan and it will be yours. These shall be the borders:
3 On the south you will get part of the Desert of Zin near the border of Edom. On the east side your southern border will start at the south end of the Dead Sea,
4 cross south of Scorpion Pass, and go through the Desert of Zin and south of Kadesh Barnea. Then it will go to Hazar Addar and over to Azmon.
5 From Azmon it will go to the brook of Egypt, and it will end at the Mediterranean Sea.
6 "'Your western border will be the Mediterranean Sea.
7 "'Your northern border will begin at the Mediterranean Sea and go to Mount Hor.
8 From Mount Hor it will go to Lebo Hamath, and on to Zedad.
9 Then the border will go to Ziphron, and it will end at Hazar Enan. This will be your northern border.
10 "'Your eastern border will begin at Hazar Enan and go to Shepham.
11 From Shepham the border will go east of Ain to Riblah and along the hills east of Lake Galilee.
12 Then the border will go down along the Jordan River and end at the Dead Sea. "'These are the borders around your country.'"
13 So Moses gave this command to the Israelites: "This is the land you will receive. Throw lots to divide it among the nine and one-half tribes, because the Lord commanded that it should be theirs.
14 The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh have already received their land.
15 These two and one-half tribes received land east of the Jordan River, across from Jericho."
16 Then the Lord said to Moses,
17 "These are the men who will divide the land: Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun.
18 Also take one leader from each tribe to help divide the land.
19 These are the names of the leaders: from the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh;
20 from the tribe of Simeon, Shemuel son of Ammihud;
21 from the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad son of Kislon;
22 from the tribe of Dan, Bukki son of Jogli;
23 from the tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph, Hanniel son of Ephod;
24 from the tribe of Ephraim son of Joseph, Kemuel son of Shiphtan;
25 from the tribe of Zebulun, Elizaphan son of Parnach;
26 from the tribe of Issachar, Paltiel son of Azzan;
27 from the tribe of Asher, Ahihud son of Shelomi;
28 from the tribe of Naphtali, Pedahel son of Ammihud."
29 The Lord commanded these men to divide the land of Canaan among the Israelites.
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.