« | Psalm 75 | » |
1 We give thanks to You, O God. We give thanks that Your name is near. Men tell about the great things You have done.
2 You say, "When the right time has come, I will be right and fair in deciding who is guilty or not.
3 When the earth and all its people shake, it is I Who will hold it together.
4 I said to the proud, 'Do not speak with pride.' And I said to the sinful, 'Do not lift up the horn.
5 Do not lift your horn up high. Do not speak in your pride.' "
6 For honor does not come from the east or the west or from the desert.
7 But God is the One Who decides. He puts down one and brings respect to another.
8 For there is a cup in the Lord's hand. It is full of strong wine that is well mixed. He pours out from it, and all the sinful people of the earth must drink all of it.
9 But as for me, I will tell of it forever. I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
10 He will cut off all the horns of the sinful. But the horns of those who are right with God will be lifted up.
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.