« | Psalm 25 | » |
1 I lift up my soul to You, O Lord.
2 O my God, I trust in You. Do not let me be ashamed. Do not let thosewho fight against me win.
3 Yes, let no one who hopes in You be put to shame. But put to shame those who hurt others without a reason.
4 Show me Your ways, O Lord. Teach me Your paths.
5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me. For You are the God Who saves me. I wait for You all day long.
6 Remember Your loving-pity and Your loving-kindness, O Lord. For they have been from old.
7 Do not remember my sins from when I was young, or my sinful ways. By Your loving-kindness remember me for You are good, O Lord.
8 Good and right is the Lord. So He teaches sinners in His ways.
9 He leads those without pride into what is right, and teaches them His way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are loving and true for those who keep His agreement and keep His Laws.
11 For the good of Your name, O Lord, forgive my sin, even as big as it is.
12 Who is the man who fears the Lord? He will teach him in the way he should choose.
13 His soul will live a rich life. And his children will be given the land.
14 The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him. And He will make them know His agreement.
15 My eyes are always on the Lord. For He will take my feet out of the net.
16 Turn to me and show me Your loving-kindness. For I am alone and in trouble.
17 The troubles of my heart have grown. Bring me out of my suffering.
18 Look upon my troubles and my pain, and forgive all my sins.
19 Look upon those who hate me, for they are many. And how very much they hate me!
20 Keep me safe, Lord, and set me free. Do not let me be put to shame for I put my trust in You.
21 Let what is good and what is right keep me safe, because I wait for You.
22 O God, make Israel free from all their troubles.
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.