« | Psalm 94 | » |
1 O Lord, the God Who punishes, God Who punishes, let Your light shine!
2 Rise up, You Judge of the earth. Pay what is owed to the proud.
3 How long will the sinful, O Lord, how long will the sinful be full of joy?
4 They pour out proud words. All those who do wrong, talk about themselves as if they are great people.
5 They crush Your people, O Lord. They bring trouble upon Your chosen nation.
6 They kill the woman whose husband has died and the stranger. They kill the children who have no parents.
7 And they say, "The Lord does not see. The God of Jacob does not care."
8 Listen, you foolish ones among the people. You fools, when will you understand?
9 He Who made the ear, does He not hear? He Who made the eye, does He not see?
10 He Who punishes nations so they might give up sin, will He not speak strong words to them? Is He not the One Who teaches man all he knows?
11 The Lord knows the thoughts of man. He knows that they are empty.
12 Happy is the man who is punished until he gives up sin, O Lord, and whom You teach from Your Law.
13 You give him rest from days of trouble, until a hole is dug for the sinful.
14 For the Lord will not turn away from His people. He will not leave His chosen nation.
15 For what is decided will be right and good. And all those whose hearts are right will follow it.
16 Who will rise up for me against the sinful? Who will take a stand for me against those who do wrong?
17 If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have been among the dead.
18 When I said, "My foot is going out from under me," Your loving-kindness held me up, O Lord.
19 When my worry is great within me, Your comfort brings joy to my soul.
20 Can a sinful throne that brings trouble by its laws be a friend to You?
21 They join together against the life of those who are right and good. They send those who are not guilty to their death.
22 But the Lord has been my strong place, my God, and the rock where I am safe.
23 He has brought back their own sin upon them and will destroy them for their wrong-doing. The Lord our God will destroy them.
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.