« | Psalm 135 | » |
1 Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord! Praise Him, O servants of the Lord,
2 you who stand in the house of the Lord, within the walls of the house of our God.
3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good. Sing praises to His name, for it is sweet.
4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob for Himself. Israel belongs to Him.
5 I know that the Lord is great. He is greater than all gods.
6 The Lord does whatever is pleasing to Him, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and in all waters.
7 He makes the clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning come with the rain. He brings the wind out from where He stores His riches.
8 He killed the first-born of Egypt, both man and animal.
9 He sent special things to see and did great works among you, O Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants.
10 He crushed many nations and killed powerful kings,
11 King Sihon of the Amorites, King Og of Bashan, and all the kings of Canaan.
12 And He gave their land as a gift, a gift to Israel His people.
13 O Lord, Your name lasts forever. O Lord, You will be remembered for all time.
14 For the Lord will decide in favor of His people. He will have loving-pity on His servants.
15 The gods of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.
16 They have mouths but they do not speak. They have eyes but they do not see.
17 They have ears but they do not hear. And there is no breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them and those who trust in them will be like them.
19 O house of Israel, give honor and thanks to the Lord. O house of Aaron, give honor and thanks to the Lord.
20 O house of Levi, give honor and thanks to the Lord. You who fear the Lord, give honor and thanks to the Lord.
21 Honor and thanks be to the Lord from Zion, Who lives in Jerusalem. 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.