« | Psalm 10 | » |
1 Why do You stand far away, O Lord? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?
2 The sinful, in their pride, try to catch the weak. Let them be caught in the plans they have made.
3 The sinful man is proud of the desires of his heart. He praises those who want everything but he speaks against the Lord.
4 The sinful man in his pride does not look for God. All his thoughts are that there is no God.
5 His ways always go well for him. Your laws are too high for him to see. He laughs at those who hate him.
6 He says to himself, "I will not be moved. For all time, I will never have trouble."
7 With his mouth he swears and lies. He makes it hard for other people. Trouble and sin are under his tongue.
8 He lies hidden in the towns, waiting to kill those who are not guilty. His eyes are always watching for the weak.
9 He lies in wait like a hidden lion. He lies in wait to catch the weak, and they become caught in his net.
10 The weak are hurt and they fall. They cannot stand under his strength.
11 He says to himself, "God has forgotten. He has hidden His face and will never see it."
12 Rise up, O Lord! Lift up Your hand, O God. Do not forget the weak.
13 Why does the sinful man turn away from God? He has said to himself, "You will not ask it of me."
14 But You have seen it. You look upon trouble and suffering, to take it into Your hands. The suffering man gives himself to You. You are the Helper of the one who has no father.
15 Break the arm of the bad and sinful man. Find out all his sins until You find no more.
16 The Lord is King forever and ever. Those who worship false gods will be taken from the land.
17 O Lord, You have heard the prayers of those who have no pride. You will give strength to their heart, and You will listen to them.
18 In this way, You will do the right thing for those without a father and those who suffer, so that man who is of the earth will no longer make them afraid.
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.