« | Psalm 41 | » |
1 Happy is the man who cares for the poor. The Lord will save him in times of trouble.
2 The Lord will keep him alive and safe. And he will be happy upon the earth. You will not give him over to the desire of those who hate him.
3 The Lord will give him strength on his bed of sickness. When he is sick, You will make him well again.
4 As for me, I said, "O Lord, have loving-kindness for me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You."
5 Those who hate me speak bad words against me, saying, "When will he die, and his name be forgotten?"
6 When one comes to see me, he speaks lies. His heart gathers up bad stories. Then he goes outside and tells them.
7 All who hate me speak in secret together against me. They make plans to hurt me, saying,
8 "A bad thing has come over him. When he lies down, he will not rise again."
9 Even a friend of mine whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has turned against me.
10 Have loving-kindness for me, O Lord. Raise me up, so that I may pay them back.
11 Then I will know that You are pleased with me, because he who hates me does not win over me.
12 As for me, You hold me up in my honesty. And You set me beside You forever.
13 Honor be to the Lord, the God of Israel, forever and ever! Let it be so!
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.