« | Psalm 34 | » |
1 I will honor the Lord at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth.
2 My soul will be proud to tell about the Lord. Let those who suffer hear it and be filled with joy.
3 Give great honor to the Lord with me. Let us praise His name together.
4 I looked for the Lord, and He answered me. And He took away all my fears.
5 They looked to Him and their faces shined with joy. Their faces will never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him. And He saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord stays close around those who fear Him, and He takes them out of trouble.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the man who trusts in Him!
9 O fear the Lord, all you who belong to Him. For those who fear Him never want for anything.
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger. But they who look for the Lord will not be without any good thing.
11 Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Who is the man who has a desire for life, and wants to live long so that he may see good things?
13 Keep your tongue from sin and your lips from speaking lies.
14 Turn away from what is sinful. Do what is good. Look for peace and follow it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are on those who do what is right and good. His ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who sin. He will keep the people of the earth from remembering them.
17 Those who are right with the Lord cry, and He hears them. And He takes them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart. And He saves those who are broken in spirit.
19 A man who does what is right and good may have many troubles. But the Lord takes him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones safe. Not one of them is broken.
21 Sin will kill the sinful. And those who hate God's people will be held guilty and punished forever.
22 The Lord saves the soul of those who work for Him. None of those who trust in Him will be held guilty.
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.