« | Zechariah 4 | » |
1 Then the angel who was speaking with me returned and woke me up like a man would be made to wake up from his sleep.
2 He said to me, "What do you see?" And I said, "I see a gold lamp-stand with a cup at the top and seven lamps on it. And there are seven places to hold oil, one on the top of each of the lamps.
3 There are two olive trees by it, one on the right side of the cup and the other on its left side."
4 Then I said to the angel who was speaking with me, "What are these, my lord?"
5 So the angel who was speaking with me said, "Do you not know what these are?" And I said, "No, my lord."
6 Then he said to me, "This is the Word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, 'Not by strength nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of All.
7 'What are you, O great mountain? In front of Zerubbabel you will become a plain. Then he will bring out the top stone and call out, "May God give it loving-favor!" ' "
8 Also the Word of the Lord came to me saying,
9 "Zerubbabel's hands have laid the first stones of this house, and his hands will finish it. Then you will know that the Lord of All has sent me to you.
10 Who has hated the day of small things? Men will be glad when they see Zerubbabel building the walls of the Lord's house. These seven are the eyes of the Lord which travel over all the earth."
11 Then I said to him, "What are these two olive trees on the right and left sides of the lamp-stand?"
12 A second time I said to him, "What are the two olive branches beside the two gold places that hold the oil to be poured out?"
13 He answered me saying, "Do you not know what these are?" And I said, "No, my lord."
14 Then he said, "These are the two who are set apart to serve the Lord of All the earth."
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.