The Language Of The NLTse

I thought I would give some snippets from the NLTse , otherwise known as the NLT2 . I will initially start with examples from the Psalms . In this post I will give some of the more idiomatic renderings .

10:7 : on the tips of their tongues
13:3 : Restore the sparkle to my eyes
28:1 : Do not turn a deaf ear to me
35:20 : they plot against innocent people who mind their own business
36:11 : the wicked push me around

38:17 : I am on the verge of collapse
39:13 : Leave me alone so I can smile again
40:15 : Aha ! We've got him now !
43:2 : my only safe haven
44:12 : making nothing on the sale

44:14 : You have made us the butt of their jokes
50:17 : treat my words like trash
56:5 : They are always twisting what I say .
62:10 : don't make it the center of your life
64:2 : this gang of wrongdoers

65:13 : the valleys are carpeted with grain
69:12 : I am the favorite topic of town gossip
69:26 : they add insult to injury
73:7 : These fat cats [ I had thought only Eugene P. had used this expression in a Bible version ]
77:9 : Has he slammed the door on his compassion ?

80:6 : Our enemies treat us as a joke
81:11 : Israel did not want me around
94:8 : Think again , you fools ! ... When will you finally catch on ?
101:8 : My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked
107:18 : they were knocking on death's door

109:1 : don't stand silent and aloof
112:10 : they will slink away
119:87 : They almost finished me off
119:119 : You skim off the wicked of the earth like scum
125:4 : whose hearts are in tune with you
142:4 : no one gives me a passing thought ! ... no one cares a bit what happens to me

 

Some more that I had neglected from the Psalms .

16:3 : The godly people in the land are my true heroes !
40:12 : I can't see my way out .
56:1 : people are hounding me
60:4 : a rallying point

 

Still In Psalms

I had just quoted some vernacular expressions from the NLTse . Here I want to demonstrate the less colloquial speech used in it . It really uses a less conversational style most of the time despite it's image as a "dynamic equivalent version " . Now a version may be functionally equivalent while using more elevated wording -- the Revised English Bible comes to mind . Here I just want to strictly address the style , not accuracy as such . ( BTW , I do not think that the more formal equivalent versions are necessarily more accurate . But that subject can be dealt with on another thread . )

1:2 : they delight in the law of the Lord
9:19 Arise , O Lord !
19:1 : The heavens proclaim the glory of the Lord .
27:1 : The Lord is my light and my salvation .
27:4 : delighting in the Lord's perfections

31:18 : Silence their lying lips
32:6 : the floodwaters of judgment
37:25 : their children begging for bread [ I'm surprised "bread" was chosen when it just means food . After a quick search , the TNIV , NIrV and HCSB also use the word "bread" ]
44:12 : for a pittance
51:4 : Against you , and you alone , have I sinned

62:2 : He alone is my rock and my salvation
78:49 : He loosed on them his fierce anger
79:12 : the scorn they have hurled at you
79:13 : the sheep of your pasture

89:13 : Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength
105:3 : Exult in his holy name
119:131 :I pant with expectation
120:3 : O deceptive tongue
128:2 : You will enjoy the fruit of your labor .
139:13 : knit me together in my mother's womb

 

Isaiah :In The Vernacular

1:12 : who asked you to parade through my courts
5:11 : flaming drunk
5:14 : is licking its lips in anticipation
10:7 : his mind does not work that way
10:14 : or utter a peep of protest
22:17,18 : He is going to grab you , crumble you into a ball
28:23 : pay close attention
29:13 : man-made rules learned by rote
30:22 : Good riddance !

32:7 : The smooth tricks
42:22 : they are fair game for anyone
43:18 : but forget all that
44:20 : he cannot bring himself to ask
47:11 : you won't be able to charm it away ... you won't be able to buy your way out
48:7 : They are brand new
49:20 : It's crowded here !
55:3 : your ears wide open
58:5 : going through the motions

 

More Snippets From Isaiah In The V .

1:18 : Come now , let's settle this
8:20 : are completely in the dark
17:11 : a load of grief
21:4 : my mind reels and my heart races
22:3 : The people tried to slip away
36:8 : I'll tell you what !
38:10 : In the prime of my life
41:7 : It's coming along fine

 

Still In Isaiah , With A More Elevated Style

16:10 : gone the joy of harvest
24:23 : the glory of the moon will wane
29:13 : They hear me with their lips , but their hearts are far from me
30:15 : In quietness and confidence is your strength
37:23 : Against whom did you raise your voice ?
37:26 : But have you not heard ?
39:8 : The grass withers and the flowers fade

42:25 : They were enveloped in flames
43:19 : Do you not see it ?
45:19 : I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner .
45:21 : Was it not I the Lord ?
61:10 : draped me in a robe of righteousness
63:5 : my wrath sustained me