« | Lamentations 5 |
1 O Lord, remember what has happened to us. Look, and see our shame!
2 The land we received from You has been given over to strangers. Our homes have been given to people from other lands.
3 We have lost our fathers. Our mothers are like those who have lost their husbands.
4 We have to pay for our drinking water, and we must buy our wood.
5 Those who come after us are at our necks. We are tired and cannot rest.
6 We have put out our hands to Egypt and Assyria to get enough bread.
7 Our fathers sinned, and are no more, and we have suffered for their sins.
8 Servants rule over us. There is no one to save us from their hand.
9 We put our lives in danger to get our bread, because of the sword in the desert.
10 Our skin has become as hot as fire because of the burning heat of hunger.
11 They have taken and sinned against the women in Zion, and the young women who have never had a man in the cities of Judah.
12 Rulers were hung by their hands. Leaders were not respected.
13 Young men worked to grind the grain, and boys fell under loads of wood.
14 The old men have left the city gate. Young men have stopped playing their music.
15 The joy of our hearts has come to an end. Our dancing has been turned into sorrow.
16 The crown has fallen from our head. It is bad for us, for we have sinned!
17 Because of this our heart is weak. Because of these things our eyes are weak.
18 Mount Zion lies in waste, so foxes run all over it.
19 O Lord, You rule forever. Your throne will last for all people-to-come.
20 Why do You forget us forever? Why do You leave us alone for so long?
21 Return us to You, O Lord. Bring us back. Make our days as they were before.
22 Or have You turned away from us forever? Is there no end to Your anger?
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.