« | Revelation 7 | » |
1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree.
2 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea:
3 "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God."
4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
5 From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000,
6 from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,
7 from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,
8 from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.
9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
10 And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."
11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,
12 saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"
13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes--who are they, and where did they come from?"
14 I answered, "Sir, you know."
15 And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.
16 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
The New International Version (NIV)
The New International Version (NIV) is one of the most widely read and respected modern English translations of the Bible. First published in 1978 by the International Bible Society, the NIV was created by a diverse team of over 100 evangelical scholars from various denominations. The goal of the NIV was to produce a Bible translation that balanced readability, accuracy, and faithfulness to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. This makes the NIV an ideal choice for both personal study and public worship, appealing to a broad audience across different Christian traditions.
A key feature of the NIV is its use of a balanced translation philosophy known as "optimal equivalence." This approach combines aspects of formal equivalence (word-for-word) and dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought) to provide a translation that is both accurate and easily understandable. The translators carefully considered the context and meaning of the original texts, striving to convey their messages in clear, contemporary English. This balance ensures that the NIV remains faithful to the original languages while being accessible to modern readers, making it a versatile and widely accepted translation.
The NIV also includes various study aids and features designed to enhance the reader’s understanding of the Bible. These include comprehensive cross-references, footnotes, and introductions to each book that provide historical and cultural context. Additionally, the NIV is available in numerous editions and formats, including study Bibles, devotional Bibles, and children’s Bibles, catering to different needs and preferences. The widespread availability and extensive resources associated with the NIV make it a valuable tool for both individual study and group teaching.
Despite its popularity and widespread use, the NIV has faced some criticism. Some traditionalists and scholars prefer more literal translations, arguing that the NIV’s approach to dynamic equivalence can sometimes result in interpretive bias or a loss of subtle nuances present in the original texts. Additionally, debates have arisen over the NIV’s use of gender-inclusive language in its 2011 update, with some critics feeling that it strays too far from the original wording. Nonetheless, the New International Version remains a highly esteemed and influential translation, recognized for its readability, accuracy, and broad appeal across the Christian community.