« | Psalm 132 | » |
1 O Lord, remember David and all of his suffering.
2 Remember how he swore to the Lord, and how he made a promise to the Powerful One of Jacob:
3 "For sure I will not go into my house or lie on my bed,
4 or let sleep come and close my eyes,
5 until I find a place for the Lord, a house of worship for the Powerful One of Jacob."
6 See, we heard about it in Ephrathah. We found it in the field of Jaar.
7 Let us go into the House of God. Let us worship at His feet.
8 Rise up, O Lord. Go to the place where You can rest, You and the special box of the Way of Worship which is Your strength.
9 Let Your religious leaders be dressed with what is right and good. And let those who belong to You sing for joy.
10 Because of David Your servant, do not turn away from Your chosen one.
11 The Lord has made a sure promise to David that He will never break: "I will set upon your throne your own children.
12 If your sons will keep My Law and My Word which I will teach them, then their sons will sit upon your throne forever."
13 For the Lord has chosen Zion. He has wanted it for a place to live:
14 "This is the place where I can rest forever. Here I will live, for I have wanted it.
15 I will give her many good things. I will give her poor people much bread.
16 I will dress her religious leaders with saving power. And those in her that belong to Me will sing for joy.
17 There I will make the horn of David grow and will make a lamp ready for My chosen one.
18 I will dress those who hate him with shame. But the crown on him will shine."
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.