« | Psalm 102 | » |
1 Hear my prayer, O Lord! Let my cry for help come to You.
2 Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble. Turn Your ear to me. Hurry to answer me in the day when I call.
3 For my days go up in smoke. And my bones are burned as with fire.
4 My heart is crushed and dried like grass. And I forget to eat my food.
5 I am nothing but skin and bones because of my loud cries.
6 I am like a pelican in the desert. I am like an owl of the waste places.
7 I lie awake. And I feel like a bird alone on the roof.
8 Those who hate me have made it hard for me all day long. Those who are angry with me curse my name.
9 For I have eaten ashes like bread and have mixed my drink with tears,
10 because of Your great anger. For You have lifted me up and thrown me away.
11 My days are like the evening shadow. I dried up like grass.
12 But You and Your name, O Lord, will always be forever and to all people for all time.
13 You will rise up and have loving-pity on Zion. For it is time to show favor to her. The set time has come.
14 For your servants respect her stones and show pity for her dust.
15 The nations will fear the name of the Lord. All the kings of the earth will fear Your shining-greatness.
16 For the Lord has built up Zion. He will come in His shining-greatness.
17 He will answer the prayer of those in need. He will not turn from their prayer.
18 This will be written for the children-to-come. So a people not yet born may give thanks to the Lord.
19 For He looked down from His holy place. He watched the earth from heaven,
20 to hear the loud cries of those in prison and to set free those who are being sent to death.
21 So the name of the Lord will be made known in Zion and His praise in Jerusalem,
22 when the people gather together and the nations gather to serve the Lord.
23 He has taken away my strength. He has taken days from my life.
24 I said, "O my God, do not take me away when my days are only half done. Your years go on to all people of all time.
25 You made the earth in the beginning. You made the heavens with Your hands.
26 They will be destroyed but You will always live. They will all become old as clothing becomes old. You will change them like a coat. And they will be changed,
27 but You are always the same. Your years will never end.
28 The children of those who work for You will live on. And their children will be set before You."
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.