« | Psalm 37 | » |
1 Don't be upset because of evil people. Don't be jealous of those who do wrong,
2 because like the grass, they will soon dry up. Like green plants, they will soon die away.
3 Trust the Lord and do good. Live in the land and feed on truth.
4 Enjoy serving the Lord, and he will give you what you want.
5 Depend on the Lord; trust him, and he will take care of you.
6 Then your goodness will shine like the sun, and your fairness like the noonday sun.
7 Wait and trust the Lord. Don't be upset when others get rich or when someone else's plans succeed.
8 Don't get angry. Don't be upset; it only leads to trouble.
9 Evil people will be sent away, but those who trust the Lord will inherit the land.
10 In a little while the wicked will be no more. You may look for them, but they will be gone.
11 People who are not proud will inherit the land and will enjoy complete peace.
12 The wicked make evil plans against good people. They grind their teeth at them in anger.
13 But the Lord laughs at the wicked, because he sees that their day is coming.
14 The wicked draw their swords and bend their bows to kill the poor and helpless, to kill those who are honest.
15 But their swords will stab their own hearts, and their bows will break.
16 It is better to have little and be right than to have much and be wrong.
17 The power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord supports those who do right.
18 The Lord watches over the lives of the innocent, and their reward will last forever.
19 They will not be ashamed when trouble comes. They will be full in times of hunger.
20 But the wicked will die. flowers of the fields; they will disappear like smoke.
21 The wicked borrow and don't pay back, but those who do right give freely to others.
22 Those whom the Lord blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be sent away.
23 When a person's steps follow the Lord, God is pleased with his ways.
24 If he stumbles, he will not fall, because the Lord holds his hand.
25 I was young, and now I am old, but I have never seen good people left helpless or their children begging for food.
26 Good people always lend freely to others, and their children are a blessing.
27 Stop doing evil and do good, so you will live forever.
28 The Lord loves justice and will not leave those who worship him. He will always protect them, but the children of the wicked will die.
29 Good people will inherit the land and will live in it forever.
30 A good person speaks with wisdom, and he says what is fair.
31 The teachings of his God are in his heart, so he does not fail to keep them.
32 The wicked watch for good people so that they may kill them.
33 But the Lord will not take away his protection or let good people be judged guilty.
34 Wait for the Lord's help and follow him. He will honor you and give you the land, and you will see the wicked sent away.
35 I saw a wicked and cruel man who looked strong like a healthy tree in good soil.
36 But he died and was gone; I looked for him, but he couldn't be found.
37 Think of the innocent person, and watch the honest one. The man who has peace will have children to live after him.
38 But sinners will be destroyed; in the end the wicked will die.
39 The Lord saves good people; he is their strength in times of trouble.
40 The Lord helps them and saves them; he saves them from the wicked, because they trust in him for protection. A psalm of David to remember.
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.