« | Psalm 80 | » |
1 Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, You Who lead Joseph like a flock! You Who sit on Your throne above the angels, let Your light shine!
2 Stir up Your power in front of Ephraim and Benjamin and Manassah, and come to save us!
3 O God, bring us back to You. Make Your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
4 O Lord God of all, how long will You be angry with the prayers of Your people?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears. And You have made them drink a big amount of tears.
6 You have made us an object of arguing to our neighbors. Those who hate us laugh among themselves.
7 O God of all, bring us back to You. Make Your face shine upon us, and we will be saved.
8 You brought a vine out of Egypt. You drove out the nations, and You planted it.
9 You cleared the land for it. And its roots went deep and filled the land.
10 The mountains were covered with its shadow. And the tall trees were covered with its branches.
11 It sent out its branches to the sea, and its new branches to the River.
12 Why have You broken down its walls so that all who pass by pick its fruit?
13 The wild pig from among the trees eats it away. And whatever moves in the field eats from it.
14 O God of all, we beg You to return. Look down from heaven and see. Take care of this vine.
15 Take care of the root Your right hand has planted, and the branch that You have raised up for Yourself.
16 They have burned it with fire. It is cut down. May they be lost when they hear Your strong words.
17 Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand, the son of man you have made strong for Yourself.
18 Then we will not turn away from You. Give us new life again, and we will call on Your name.
19 O Lord God of all, bring us back to You. Make Your face shine upon us, and we will be saved.
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.