« | Proverbs 2 | » |
1 My son, if you receive my sayings and store up my teachings within you,
2 make your ear open to wisdom. Turn your heart to understanding.
3 If you cry out to know right from wrong, and lift your voice for understanding;
4 if you look for her as silver, and look for her as hidden riches;
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find what is known of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom. Much learning and understanding come from His mouth.
7 He stores up perfect wisdom for those who are right with Him. He is a safe-covering to those who are right in their walk.
8 He watches over the right way, and He keeps safe the way of those who belong to Him.
9 Then you will understand what is right and good, and right from wrong, and you will know what you should do.
10 For wisdom will come into your heart. And much learning will be pleasing to your soul.
11 Good thinking will keep you safe. Understanding will watch over you.
12 You will be kept from the sinful man, and from the man who causes much trouble by what he says.
13 You will be kept from the man who leaves the right way to walk in the ways of darkness,
14 from the one who is happy doing wrong, and who finds joy in the way of sin.
15 His ways are not straight and are not good.
16 You will be saved from the strange woman, from the sinful woman with her smooth words.
17 She leaves the husband she had when she was young, and forgets the agreement with her God.
18 For her house goes down to death, and her steps lead to the dead.
19 None who go to her return again, and they do not find the paths of life.
20 So may you walk in the way of good men, and keep to the paths of those who are right and good.
21 For those who are right with God will live in the land. The men without blame will stay in it,
22 but the sinful will be destroyed from the land, and those who are not faithful will be taken away from it.
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.