« | Psalm 112 | » |
1 Praise the Lord! How happy is the man who honors the Lord with fear and finds joy in His Law!
2 His children will be powerful in the land. Each family who is right will be happy.
3 Riches and well-being are in his house. And his right-standing with God will last forever.
4 Light rises even in darkness for the one who is right. He is kind and has loving-pity and does what is right.
5 Good will come to the man who is ready to give much, and fair in what he does.
6 He will never be shaken. The man who is right and good will be remembered forever.
7 He will not be afraid of bad news. His heart is strong because he trusts in the Lord.
8 His heart will not be shaken. He will not be afraid and will watch those lose who fight against him.
9 He has given much to the poor. His right-standing with God lasts forever. His horn will be lifted high in honor.
10 The sinful man will see it and be troubled and angry. He will grind his teeth and waste away. The desire of the sinful will come to nothing.
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.