« | Psalm 51 | » |
1 O God, favor me because of Your loving-kindness. Take away my wrong-doing because of the greatness of Your loving-pity.
2 Wash me inside and out from my wrong-doing and make me clean from my sin.
3 For I know my wrong-doing, and my sin is always in front of me.
4 I have sinned against You, and You only. I have done what is sinful in Your eyes. You are always right when You speak, and fair when You judge.
5 See, I was born in sin and was in sin from my very beginning.
6 See, You want truth deep within the heart. And You will make me know wisdom in the hidden part.
7 Take away my sin, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Make me hear joy and happiness. Let the bones that You have broken be full of joy.
9 Hide Your face from my sins. And take away all my wrong-doing.
10 Make a clean heart in me, O God. Give me a new spirit that will not be moved.
11 Do not throw me away from where You are. And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Let the joy of Your saving power return to me. And give me a willing spirit to obey you.
13 Then I will teach wrong-doers Your ways. And sinners will turn to You.
14 Save me from the guilt of blood, O God. You are the God Who saves me. Then my tongue will sing with joy about how right and good You are.
15 O Lord, open my lips, so my mouth will praise You.
16 For You are not happy with a gift given on the altar in worship, or I would give it. You are not pleased with burnt gifts.
17 The gifts on an altar that God wants are a broken spirit. O God, You will not hate a broken heart and a heart with no pride.
18 Be pleased to do good to Zion. Build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then You will be happy with gifts given on the altar that are right and good, with burnt gifts and whole burnt gifts. Then young bulls will be given on Your altar.
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.