« | Psalm 55 | » |
1 Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not hide Yourself from what I ask.
2 Hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I have no peace,
3 because of the voice of those who hate me and the power of the sinful. For they bring trouble upon me, and in anger they keep on having bad thoughts against me.
4 My heart is in pain within me. The fears of death have come upon me.
5 I have begun shaking with fear. Fear has power over me.
6 And I say, "If only I had wings like a dove, I would fly away and be at rest.
7 Yes, I would go far away. I would live in the desert.
8 I would hurry to my safe place, away from the wild wind and storm."
9 Mix them up, O Lord. Divide their tongues. For I have seen fighting and trouble in the city.
10 They go around on its walls day and night. Sin and wrong-doing are within it.
11 Destroying powers are in the city. Trouble and lies never leave its streets.
12 I would be able to take it if one who hates me were putting me to shame. I could hide from him. It is not one who hates me who has put himself up against me.
13 But it is you, a man like myself, one who has gone with me, my close friend.
14 We shared together. And we walked with the people in the house of God.
15 Let death take them by surprise. Let them go down alive to the grave. For sin is with them where they live.
16 As for me, I will call on God and the Lord will save me.
17 I will cry out and complain in the evening and morning and noon, and He will hear my voice.
18 He will save my soul in peace from those who make war against me. For there are many who fight me.
19 God sits on His throne forever. And He will hear them and bring trouble upon them, because there has been no change in them. They do not fear God.
20 He goes against those who were at peace with him. He has broken his agreement.
21 What he says is smoother than butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are raised swords.
22 Give all your cares to the Lord and He will give you strength. He will never let those who are right with Him be shaken.
23 But You, O God, will bring the sinful down into the hole that destroys. Men who kill and lie will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You.
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.