« | Psalm 36 | » |
1 Sin speaks to the sinful man within his heart. There is no fear of God in his eyes.
2 For he makes much of himself in his own eyes. So his sin is not known and hated.
3 The words of his mouth are sinful and false. He has stopped being wise and doing good.
4 He plans wrong-doing upon his bed. He sets himself on a path that is not good. He does not hate what is bad.
5 O Lord, Your loving-kindness goes to the heavens. You are as faithful as the sky is high.
6 You are as right and good as mountains are big. You are as fair when You judge as a sea is deep. O Lord, You keep safe both man and animal.
7 Of what great worth is Your loving-kindness,O God! The children of men come and are safe in the shadow of Your wings.
8 They are filled with the riches of Your house. And You give them a drink from Your river of joy.
9 All life came from You. In Your light we see light.
10 Keep on giving Your loving-kindness to those who know You. Keep on being right and good to the pure in heart.
11 Do not let the foot of pride come near me. Do not let the hand of the sinful push me away.
12 There have the wrong-doers fallen. They have been thrown down, and cannot rise.
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.