« | Psalm 118 | » |
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His loving-kindness lasts forever.
2 Let Israel say, "His loving-kindness lasts forever."
3 Let the house of Aaron say, "His loving-kindness lasts forever."
4 Let those who fear the Lord say, "His loving-kindness lasts forever."
5 I cried to the Lord in my trouble, and He answered me and put me in a good place.
6 The Lord is with me. I will not be afraid of what man can do to me.
7 The Lord is with me. He is my Helper. I will watch those lose who fight against me.
8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to trust in man.
9 It is better to trust in the Lord than to trust in rulers.
10 All nations gathered around me. But I cut them off in the name of the Lord.
11 They gathered around me. Yes, they were on every side. But I cut them off in the name of the Lord.
12 They were all around me like bees and they died out fast like burning thorns. I will destroy them in the name of the Lord.
13 You pushed me back so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and my song. He is the One Who saves me.
15 The joy of being saved is being heard in the tents of those who are right and good. The right hand of the Lord does powerful things.
16 The Lord's right hand is lifted high. The right hand of the Lord does powerful things.
17 I will not die but live. And I will tell of what the Lord has done.
18 The Lord has punished me but He has not given me over to death.
19 Open to me the gates of what is right and good. I will go through them and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord. Those who are right with God will pass through it.
21 I will give thanks to You, for You have answered me. And You are the One Who saves me.
22 The stone that was put aside by the workmen has become the most important stone in the building.
23 The Lord has done this. We think it is great!
24 This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us be full of joy and be glad in it.
25 O Lord, we beg You to save us! O Lord, we ask that You let everything go well for us!
26 Great and honored is he who comes in the name of the Lord. We honor you from the house of the Lord.
27 The Lord is God. He has given us light. Tie the gift with rope to the horns of the altar on this special day.
28 You are my God and I will give You thanks. You are my God and I will praise You.
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His loving-kindness lasts forever.
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.