« | Psalm 141 | » |
1 Lord, I call to you. Come quickly. Listen to me when I call to you.
2 Let my prayer be like incense placed before you, and my praise like the evening sacrifice.
3 Lord, help me control my tongue; help me be careful about what I say.
4 Take away my desire to do evil or to join others in doing wrong. Don't let me eat tasty food with those who do evil.
5 If a good person punished me, that would be kind. If he corrected me, that would be like perfumed oil on my head. I shouldn't refuse it. But I pray against those who do evil.
6 Let their leaders be thrown down the cliffs. Then people will know that I have spoken correctly:
7 "The ground is plowed and broken up. In the same way, our bones have been scattered at the grave."
8 God, I look to you for help. I trust in you, Lord. Don't let me die.
9 Protect me from the traps they set for me and from the net that evil people have spread.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, but let me pass by safely. A maskil of David when he was in the cave. A prayer.
The New Century Version (NCV)
The New Century Version (NCV) is a contemporary English translation of the Bible designed to be easily understandable and accessible to a broad audience. First published in 1987 by Thomas Nelson, the NCV originated from a project aimed at creating a simplified English translation for children. Over time, the scope of the translation expanded to cater to readers of all ages, including those with limited English proficiency and those new to the Bible. The NCV’s primary goal is to communicate the truths of Scripture in clear, everyday language that resonates with modern readers.
A notable feature of the NCV is its use of dynamic equivalence, or thought-for-thought translation philosophy. This approach prioritizes conveying the meaning and intent of the original texts over maintaining a strict word-for-word correspondence. By doing so, the NCV aims to make the Bible’s messages more relatable and easier to understand, especially for those who may find traditional translations challenging. The translation team worked diligently to balance accuracy with readability, ensuring that the essence of the biblical texts is preserved while making them more accessible to contemporary audiences.
The NCV also includes various study aids and features designed to enhance comprehension and engagement with the biblical text. These include introductions to each book of the Bible, footnotes that provide historical and cultural context, and cross-references that help readers see connections between different parts of Scripture. Additionally, the NCV often employs gender-neutral language where appropriate, aiming to be inclusive and respectful of modern sensibilities while remaining faithful to the original texts.