« | Psalm 35 | » |
1 Lord, battle with those who battle with me. Fight against those who fight against me.
2 Pick up the shield and armor. Rise up and help me.
3 Lift up your spears, both large and small, against those who chase me. Tell me, "I will save you."
4 Make those who want to kill me be ashamed and disgraced. Make those who plan to harm me turn back and run away.
5 Make them like chaff blown by the wind as the angel of the Lord forces them away.
6 Let their road be dark and slippery as the angel of the Lord chases them.
7 For no reason they spread out their net to trap me; for no reason they dug a pit for me.
8 So let ruin strike them suddenly. Let them be caught in their own nets; let them fall into the pit and die.
9 Then I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be happy when he saves me.
10 Even my bones will say, "Lord, who is like you? You save the weak from the strong, the weak and poor from robbers."
11 Men without mercy stand up to testify. They ask me things I do not know.
12 They repay me with evil for the good I have done, and they make me very sad.
13 Yet when they were sick, I put on clothes of sadness and showed my sorrow by going without food. But my prayers were not answered.
14 I acted as if they were my friends or brothers. I bowed in sadness as if I were crying for my mother.
15 But when I was in trouble, they gathered and laughed; they gathered to attack before I knew it. They insulted me without stopping.
16 They made fun of me and were cruel to me and ground their teeth at me in anger.
17 Lord, how long will you watch this happen? Save my life from their attacks; save me from these people who are like lions.
18 I will praise you in the great meeting. I will praise you among crowds of people.
19 Do not let my enemies laugh at me; they hate me for no reason. Do not let them make fun of me; they have no cause to hate me.
20 Their words are not friendly but are lies about peace-loving people.
21 They speak against me and say, "Aha! We saw what you did!"
22 Lord, you have been watching. Do not keep quiet. Lord, do not leave me alone.
23 Wake up! Come and defend me! My God and Lord, fight for me!
24 Lord my God, defend me with your justice. Don't let them laugh at me.
25 Don't let them think, "Aha! We got what we wanted!" Don't let them say, "We destroyed him."
26 Let them be ashamed and embarrassed, because they were happy when I hurt. Cover them with shame and disgrace, because they thought they were better than I was.
27 May my friends sing and shout for joy. May they always say, "Praise the greatness of the Lord, who loves to see his servants do well."
28 I will tell of your goodness and will praise you every day. For the director of music. Of David, the servant of the Lord.
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.
Despite its strengths, the New Century Version has faced some criticism from those who prefer more traditional or literal translations. Critics argue that the dynamic equivalence approach can sometimes result in a loss of nuance and depth found in the original languages. Additionally, some theologians express concern that the simplified language may not fully capture the richness and complexity of certain theological concepts. Nonetheless, the NCV remains a valuable resource for many readers, particularly those seeking a clear and approachable version of the Bible that helps them connect with and understand its timeless messages.