« | Psalm 20 | » |
1 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe.
2 May He send you help from the house of God, and give you strength from Zion.
3 May He remember all your gifts of grain given on the altar in worship. And may He be pleased with your burnt gifts.
4 May He give you the desire of your heart, and make all your plans go well.
5 We will sing for joy when you win. In the name of our God we will lift up our flags. May the Lord give you all the things you ask Him for.
6 Now I know that the Lord saves His chosen one. He will answer him from His holy heaven, with the saving power of His right hand.
7 Some trust in wagons and some in horses. But we will trust in the name of the Lord, our God.
8 They have fallen on their knees. But we rise up and stand straight.
9 O Lord, save! May the King answer us when we call.
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.