« | Psalm 31 | » |
1 O Lord, in You I have found a safe place. Let me never be ashamed. Set me free, because You do what is right and good.
2 Turn Your ear to me, and be quick to save me. Be my rock of strength, a strong place to keep me safe.
3 For You are my rock and my safe place. For the honor of Your name, lead me and show me the way.
4 You will free me from the net that they have hidden for me. For You are my strength.
5 I give my spirit into Your hands. You have made me free, O Lord, God of truth.
6 I hate those who worship false gods. But I trust in the Lord.
7 I will be glad and full of joy in Your loving-kindness. For You have seen my suffering. You have known the troubles of my soul.
8 You have not given me into the hand of those who hate me. You have set my feet in a large place.
9 Show me loving-kindness, O Lord, for I am in trouble. My eyes, my soul and my body are becoming weak from being sad.
10 For my life gets weaker with sorrow, and my years with crying inside myself. My strength has left me because of my sin. And my bones waste away.
11 Because of all those who hate me, I have become a shame to my neighbors. Even my friends do not want to be with me. Those who see me on the street run from me.
12 I am forgotten like a dead man and they do not think about me. I am like a broken pot.
13 For I have heard many say things to hurt me. Fear is on every side. They planned together against me. They thought of ways to take away my life.
14 But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord. I say, "You are my God."
15 My times are in Your hands. Free me from the hands of those who hate me, and from those who try to hurt me.
16 Make Your face shine upon your servant. Save me in Your loving-kindness.
17 Do not let me be put to shame, O Lord. For I call to You. Let the sinful be put to shame. Let them be quiet in the grave.
18 Let the lying lips be quiet. For they speak with pride and hate those who do right and good.
19 How great is Your loving-kindness! You have stored it up for those who fear You. You show it to those who trust in You in front of the sons of men.
20 You will hide them with You in secret from the sinful plans of men. You keep them in Your tent in secret from those who fight with tongues.
21 Honor and thanks be to the Lord. For He has shown His great loving-favor to me when I was in a city with armies all around.
22 In my fear I said, "You have closed Your eyes to me!" But You heard my cry for loving-kindness when I called to You.
23 Love the Lord, all you who belong to Him! The Lord keeps the faithful safe. But He gives the proud their pay in full.
24 Be strong. Be strong in heart, all you who hope in 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.