« | Psalm 83 | » |
1 O God, do not keep quiet. Do not be quiet, O God, and do not hold Your peace.
2 For, look, those who hate You are making much noise. Those who fight against You have honored themselves.
3 They make bad plans against Your people. They plan against those You care for.
4 They say, "Come, let us destroy them as a nation. Let the name of Israel be remembered no longer."
5 For they plan together with one mind. They make an agreement against You:
6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagarites;
7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with those who live in Tyre;
8 Assyria has joined them also. They help the children of Lot.
9 Do to them as You did to Midian, and to Sisera and Jabin at the river of Kishon.
10 They were destroyed at Endor. They were spread over the field.
11 Make their respected men like Oreb and Zeeb. Make their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,
12 who said, "Let us take for ourselves the fields of God."
13 O my God, make them like dust turning in the wind, like parts of the grass that have no worth and are blown away.
14 As the fire that burns up the trees and spreads over the mountains,
15 so go behind them with Your storm. Make them afraid with Your storm.
16 Fill their faces with shame, so they will look to Your name, O Lord.
17 Let them be ashamed and afraid forever. Let them be put to shame and lost.
18 Then they may know that You alone, Whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.
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.