« | Psalm 115 | » |
1 Let honor be given to Your name and not to us, O Lord, not to us. Because You are loving and kind and faithful.
2 Why should the nations say, "Where is their God now?"
3 But our God is in the heavens. He does whatever He wants to do.
4 Their gods are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
5 They have mouths but they cannot speak. They have eyes but they cannot see.
6 They have ears but they cannot hear. They have noses but they cannot smell.
7 They have hands but they cannot feel. They have feet but they cannot walk. They cannot make a sound come out of their mouths.
8 Those who make them and trust them will be like them.
9 O Israel, trust in the Lord. He is their help and safe-covering.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord. He is their help and safe-covering.
11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord. He is their help and safe-covering.
12 The Lord has remembered us and will make good come to us. He will make good come to the house of Israel. He will make good come to the house of Aaron.
13 He will make good come to those who fear the Lord, both the small and the great.
14 May the Lord make your numbers grow, both you and your children.
15 May you be given good things by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
16 The heavens belong to the Lord. But He has given the earth to the children of men.
17 The dead do not praise the Lord. Neither do those who go down into the quiet place.
18 But we will give honor and thanks to the Lord, now and forever. 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.
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.