« | Song of Solomon 8 |
1 "O that you were like a brother to me, who nursed from my mother's breasts! If I found you outside, I would kiss you, and no one would hate me.
2 I would lead you and bring you into the house of my mother, who used to teach me. I would give you wine with spices to drink, made from my pomegranates.
3 Let his left hand be under my head, and his right hand hold me close."
4 "I tell you, O daughters of Jerusalem. You must not wake up my love, until it is pleasing to her."
5 "Who is this coming up from the desert, resting on her loved one?" "I woke you up under the fruit tree. There your mother suffered and gave birth to you.
6 Put me over your heart and on your arm, never to be taken off. For love is as strong as death. Jealousy is as hard as the grave. Its bright light is like the light of fire, the very fire of the Lord.
7 Many waters cannot put out love. Rivers cannot cover it. If a man were to give all the riches of his house for love, it would all be hated."
8 "We have a little sister, and she has no breasts. What should we do for our sister on the day when she is promised in marriage?
9 If she is a wall, we should build on her a tower of silver. But if she is a door, we should cover her with strong pieces of cedar wood."
10 "I was a wall, and my breasts were like towers. Then I was in his eyes as one who finds peace."
11 "Solomon has a grape-field at Baal-hamon. He put the grape-field into the care of certain men. Each one was to bring 1,000 pieces of silver for its fruit.
12 My own grape-field is for myself. The 1,000 pieces of silver are for you, Solomon. And 200 are for those who take care of its fruit."
13 "O you who sit in the gardens, my friends are listening for your voice. Let me hear it."
14 "Hurry, my love. Be like a gazelle or a young deer on the mountains of spices."
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.