« | Psalm 113 | » |
1 Praise the Lord! Praise Him, O you who serve the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord.
2 Let the name of the Lord be honored, now and forever.
3 The name of the Lord is to be praised from the time the sun rises to when it sets.
4 The Lord is high above all nations. His shining-greatness is above the heavens.
5 Who is like the Lord our God? He sits on His throne on high.
6 He looks down upon the heavens and the earth.
7 He raises the poor from the dust. He lifts those in need from the ashes.
8 He makes them sit with rulers, with the rulers of His people.
9 He gives a home to the woman who could not give birth and makes her the mother of children. Praise the Lord!
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.