« | Song of Solomon 7 | » |
1 "How beautiful are your feet in their shoes, O daughter! Your legs are like stones of much worth, the work of an able workman.
2 Your navel is like a beautiful glass full of wine. Your stomach is like gathered grain with lilies around it.
3 Your two breasts are like two young deer, the two young ones of a gazelle.
4 Your neck is like a tower of ivory. Your eyes are like the pools in Heshbon by the gate of Bath-rabbim. Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon, which looks toward Damascus.
5 Your head crowns you like Carmel. Your flowing hair is like strings of purple. The king is held by the beauty of your hair.
6 How beautiful and how pleasing you are, my love! How happy you make me!
7 You stand like a palm tree. And your breasts are like its fruit.
8 I said, 'I will go to the top of the palm tree. I will take hold of its branches.' O, may your breasts be like the fruit of the vine, and the sweet smell of your breath like pleasing fruit.
9 And may your mouth be like the best wine." "For my love, it is smooth going down, flowing through the lips while sleeping.
10 "I am my love's, and he wants me.
11 Come, my love, let us go to the country. Let us spend the night in the villages.
12 Let us get up early and go to the grape-fields. Let us see if the buds are on the vines, and if its flowers have opened. Let us see if the pomegranates have flowers. There I will give you my love.
13 The mandrakes have given out their sweet smell. And over our doors are all the best fruits, both new and old, which I have saved for you, my love.
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.