« | Psalm 7 | » |
1 O Lord my God, in You I have put my trust. Save me from all those who come for me, and keep me safe.
2 Or they will tear me like a lion, carrying me away where there is no one to help.
3 O Lord my God, if I have done this, and there is guilt on my hands,
4 if I have done wrong to him who was at peace with me, or without a reason have robbed him who worked against me,
5 let him who hates me come for me and catch me. Let him break me under his feet until I die, and lay my honor in the dust.
6 Rise up in Your anger, O Lord. Rise up against the anger of those who hate me. Awake, my God, and help me. Prove what is right.
7 Let the people gather around You, and rule over them from Your throne.
8 May the Lord judge which people are guilty or not. O Lord, judge in my favor if I am right with You, and if I am without blame.
9 Let the sins of the sinful stop. But build up those who are right with You. For the God Who is right and good tests both the hearts and the minds.
10 I am kept safe by God, Who saves those who are pure in heart.
11 God is always right in how He judges. He is angry with the sinful every day.
12 If a man is not sorry for his sins and will not turn from them, God will make His sword sharp. He will string His bow and make it ready.
13 He takes up His sword and the bow of death. And He makes arrows of fire.
14 See how the sinful man thinks up sins and plans trouble and lies start growing inside him.
15 He has dug out a deep hole, and has fallen into the hole he has dug.
16 The trouble he makes will return to him. When he hurts others it will come down on his own head.
17 I will give thanks to the Lord because He is right and good. I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.
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.