« | Psalm 137 | » |
1 We sat down and cried by the rivers of Babylon when we remembered Zion.
2 There upon the trees we put our harps.
3 For those who held us there made us sing. And those who made it hard for us asked for joy. They said, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion."
4 How can we sing the song of the Lord in a strange land?
5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget what it is able to do.
6 May my tongue hold to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not honor Jerusalem above my highest joy.
7 O Lord, remember what the sons of Edom did on the day Jerusalem fell. "Knock it down," they said, "Knock it down to the ground."
8 O daughter of Babylon, you who will be destroyed, how honored will be the one who pays you back for what you have done to us!
9 How honored will be the one who catches your children and throws them against the rock!
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.