« | Zechariah 6 | » |
1 I looked up again and saw four chariots going out between two mountains, mountains of bronze.
2 Red horses pulled the first chariot. Black horses pulled the second chariot.
3 White horses pulled the third chariot, and strong, spotted horses pulled the fourth chariot.
4 I asked the angel who was talk- ing with me, "What are these, sir?"
5 He said, "These are the four spirits of heaven. They have just come from the presence of the Lord of the whole world.
6 The chariot pulled by the black horses will go to the land of the north. The white horses will go to the land of the west, and the spotted horses will go to the land of the south."
7 When the powerful horses went out, they were eager to go through all the earth. So he said, "Go through all the earth," and they did.
8 Then he called to me, "Look, the horses that went north have caused my spirit to rest in the land of the north."
9 The Lord spoke his word to me, saying,
10 "Take silver and gold from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who were captives in Babylon. Go that same day to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah, who came from Babylon.
11 Make the silver and gold into a crown, and put it on the head of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest.
12 Tell him this is what the Lord All-Powerful says: 'A man whose name is the Branch will branch out from where he is, and he will build the Temple of the Lord.
13 One mann will build the Temple of the Lord, and the othern will receive honor. One man will sit on his throne and rule, and the other will be a priest on his throne. And these two men will work together in peace.'
14 The crown will be kept in the Temple of the Lord to remind Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Josiah son of Zephaniah.
15 People living far away will come and build the Temple of the Lord. Then you will know the Lord All-Powerful has sent me to you. This will happen if you completely obey the Lord your God."
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.