« | Numbers 5 | » |
1 The Lord said to Moses,
2 "Command the Isra- elites to send away from camp anyone with a harmful skin disease. Send away anyone who gives off body fluid or who has become unclean by touching a dead body.
3 Send both men and women outside the camp so that they won't spread the disease there, where I am living among you."
4 So Israel obeyed the Lord's command and sent those people outside the camp. They did just as the Lord had told Moses.
5 The Lord said to Moses,
6 "Tell the Israelites: 'When a man or woman does something wrong to another person, that is really sinning against the Lord. That person is guilty
7 and must admit the wrong that has been done. The person must fully pay for the wrong that has been done, adding one-fifth to it, and giving it to the person who was wronged.
8 But if that person is dead and does not have any close relatives to receive the payment, the one who did wrong owes the Lord and must pay the priest. In addition, the priest must sacrifice a male sheep to remove the wrong so that the person will belong to the Lord.
9 When an Israelite brings a holy gift, it should be given to the priest.
10 No one has to give these holy gifts, but if someone does give them, they belong to the priest.'"
11 Then the Lord said to Moses,
12 "Tell the Israelites: 'A man's wife might be unfaithful to him
13 and have sexual relations with another man. Her sin might be kept hidden from her husband so that he does not know about the wrong she did. Perhaps no one saw it, and she wasn't caught.
14 But if her husband has feelings of jealousy and suspects she has sinned -- whether she has or not --
15 he should take her to the priest. The husband must also take an offering for her of two quarts of barley flour. He must not pour oil or incense on it, because this is a grain offering for jealousy, an offering of remembrance. It is to find out if she is guilty.
16 "'The priest will bring in the woman and make her stand before the Lord.
17 He will take some holy water in a clay jar, and he will put some dirt from the floor of the Holy Tent into the water.
18 The priest will make the woman stand before the Lord, and he will loosen her hair. He will hand her the offering of remembrance, the grain offering for jealousy; he will hold the bitter water that brings a curse.
19 The priest will make her take an oath and ask her, "Has another man had sexual relations with you? Have you been unfaithful to your husband? If you haven't, this bitter water that brings a curse won't hurt you.
20 But if you have been unfaithful to your husband and have had sexual relations with a man besides him" --
21 the priest will then put on her the curse that the oath will bring -- "the Lord will make the people curse and reject you. He will make your stomach get big, and he will make your body unable to give birth to another baby.
22 This water that brings a curse will go inside you and make your body unable to give birth to another baby." "'The woman must say, "I agree."
23 "'The priest should write these curses on a scroll, wash the words off into the bitter water,
24 and make the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse. If she is guilty, the water will make her sick.
25 Then the priest will take the grain offering for jealousy from her. He will present it before the Lord and bring it to the altar.
26 He will take a handful of the grain, which is a memorial offering, and burn it on the altar. After that he will make the woman drink the water
27 to see if she is not pure and if she has sinned against her husband. When it goes into her, if her stomach gets big so that she is not able to have another baby, her people will reject her.
28 But if the woman has not sinned, she is pure. She is not guilty, and she will be able to have babies.
29 "'So this is the teaching about jealousy. This is what to do when a woman does wrong and is unfaithful while she is married to her husband.
30 It also should be done if the man gets jealous because he suspects his wife. The priest will have her stand before the Lord, and he will do all these things, just as the teaching commands.
31 In this way the husband can be proven correct, and the woman will suffer if she has done wrong.'"
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.