« | Psalm 122 | » |
1 I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord."
2 Our feet are standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built as a city where people come together.
4 That is where the different families go, the families of the Lord. There they give thanks to the name of the Lord, by the Law that was given to Israel.
5 For thrones were set there for telling who is guilty or not, the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May all go well for those who love you.
7 May there be peace within your walls. May all go well within your houses.
8 I will now say, "May peace be within you," for the good of my brothers and my friends.
9 Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will pray for your good.
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.