« | Psalm 12 | » |
1 Help, Lord! For God-like men are here no more. The faithful can no longer be seen among the sons of men.
2 They lie to each other. Their lips speak with sweet-sounding words that are not true.
3 May the Lord cut off all lips of false respect, and the tongue that speaks of great things.
4 They say, "We can win with our tongues. Our lips are our own. Who is lord over us?"
5 "Because of the suffering of the weak, and because of the cries of the poor, I will now rise up," says the Lord. "I will keep him safe as he has wanted to be."
6 The words of the Lord are pure words. They are like silver that has been made pure seven times in a stove of earth.
7 O Lord, You will keep us. You will keep us safe forever from the people of this day.
8 The sinful walk on every side when bad actions are held in honor among the sons of men.
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.