« | Zechariah 6 | » |
1 I looked up again and saw four war-wagons coming out from between the two mountains. The mountains were made of brass.
2 The first war-wagon had red horses. The second war-wagon had black horses.
3 The third war-wagon had white horses, and the fourth war-wagon had strong horses with spots.
4 Then I said to the angel who was speaking with me, "What are these, my lord?"
5 The angel said to me, "These are the four spirits of heaven, going away from standing before the Lord of All the earth.
6 The war-wagon with the black horses is going toward the north country. The white ones follow them. And the horses with spots go toward the south country.
7 When the strong horses went out, they were in a hurry to look over all the earth." And he said, "Go, look over all the earth." So they went over the whole earth.
8 Then he called to me, "See, those who are going to the land of the north have given My Spirit rest in the north country."
9 The Word of the Lord came to me saying,
10 "Take the gifts from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have returned from Babylon. And go the same day to the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah.
11 Take the silver and gold and make a crown, and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the head religious leader.
12 Then tell him, 'The Lord of All says, "See, the man whose name is the Branch, for He will branch out from where He is. And He will build the house of the Lord.
13 Yes, He is the One Who will build the house of the Lord. He will be honored as King, and sit and rule on His throne. And He will be a religious leader on His throne, and there will be peace between the two." '
14 The crown will be in the Lord's house, that people may remember Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah.
15 Those who are far away will come to build the house of the Lord. Then you will know that the Lord of All has sent me to you. This will happen if you are careful to obey the Lord your God."
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.