« | Psalm 52 | » |
1 Why do you take pride in wrong-doing, O powerful man? The loving-kindness of God lasts all day long.
2 Your tongue makes plans to destroy like a sharp knife, you who lie.
3 You love what is bad more than what is good, and you speak lies more than you speak the truth.
4 You love all words that destroy, O lying tongue.
5 But God will destroy you forever. He will pick you up and pull you away from your tent. He will pull up your roots from the land of the living.
6 And those who are right will see and be afraid. They will laugh at him, saying,
7 "Look, the man who would not make God his safe place, but trusted in his many riches and was strong in his sinful desire."
8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever.
9 I will give You thanks forever because of what You have done. And I will hope in Your name, for it is good to be where those who belong to You are.
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.