« | 1 Chronicles 22 | » |
1 David said, "The Temple of the Lord God and the altar for burning offerings for the Israelites will be built here."
2 David gave an order for all foreigners living in Israel to be gathered together. He chose stonecutters from that group of foreigners. Their job was to cut stones ready to be used for building God's Temple.
3 David got iron for making nails and hinges for the gate doors. He also got more bronze than could be weighed
4 and more cedar logs than could be counted. The people from the cities of Sidon and Tyre brought many cedar logs to David.
5 David said, "We should build a very great Temple for the Lord, but my son Solomon is young and he hasn't learned what he needs to know. The Lord's Temple should be very great. It should be famous in all the nations because of its greatness and beauty. That is why I will make plans for building the Lord's Temple." So David made many plans for building the Temple before he died.
6 Then David called for his son Solomon and told him to build the Temple for the Lord, the God of Israel.
7 David said to Solomon, "My son, I wanted to build a temple for the name of the Lord my God.
8 But the Lord said to me, 'David, you have fought many wars and you have killed many people. So you cannot build a temple for my name.
9 But you have a son who is a man of peace. I will give your son a time of peace. His enemies around him will not bother him. His name is Solomon. And I will give Israel peace and quiet during the time that he is king.
10 Solomon will build a temple for my name. He will be my son, and I will be his Father. I will make his kingdom strong, and someone from his family will rule Israel forever!'"
11 David also said, "Now, son, may the Lord be with you. May you be successful and build the Temple for the Lord your God, as he said you would.
12 He will make you the king of Israel. May the Lord give you wisdom and understanding so that you can lead the people and obey the law of the Lord your God.
13 And you will have success, if you are careful to obey the rules and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and brave. Don't be afraid.
14 "Solomon, I have worked hard making plans for building the Lord's Temple. I have given 3750 tons of gold and about 37,500 tons of silver. I have given so much bronze and iron that it cannot be weighed. And I have given wood and stone. Solomon, you can add to them.
15 You have many stonecutters and carpenters. You have men skilled in every kind of work.
16 They are skilled in working with gold, silver, bronze, and iron. You have more skilled workers than can be counted. Now begin the work. And may the Lord be with you."
17 Then David ordered all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon.
18 David said to these leaders, "The Lord your God is with you. He has given you a time of peace. He helped me defeat the people living around us. The Lord and his people are now in control of this land.
19 Now give your heart and soul to the Lord your God, and do what he says. Build the holy place of the Lord God. Build the Temple for the Lord's name. Then bring the Box of the Agreement and all the other holy things into the Temple."
The Easy-To-Read Version (ERV)
The Easy-To-Read Version (ERV) is a Bible translation specifically designed to be accessible and comprehensible for people with limited reading skills or those for whom English is a second language. Originally published in 1987 by the World Bible Translation Center, the ERV was initially developed to serve the deaf community, using a simplified vocabulary and straightforward sentence structures. The goal of the ERV is to make the scriptures understandable to a wide range of readers, ensuring that everyone can grasp the essential messages of the Bible without being hindered by complex language or archaic terms.
One of the defining characteristics of the ERV is its commitment to clarity and simplicity. The translators employed a thought-for-thought translation philosophy, focusing on conveying the meaning of the original texts in plain, everyday English. This approach ensures that readers can easily comprehend the Bible’s teachings and narratives, making it a valuable resource for children, new Christians, and those with limited literacy skills. The ERV avoids technical theological terms and instead uses language that is commonly spoken, making it accessible for personal study and public reading alike.
The ERV also pays careful attention to the cultural and contextual nuances of the original manuscripts. The translators sought to present the Bible’s messages in a way that is relevant and meaningful to contemporary readers while maintaining faithfulness to the original texts. This cultural sensitivity helps bridge the gap between ancient scriptures and modern readers, allowing them to connect more deeply with the biblical stories and teachings. Additionally, the ERV includes helpful footnotes and cross-references that provide further explanation and context, enhancing the reader’s understanding of the text.
Despite its strengths, the ERV has faced some criticism from those who prefer more traditional or literal translations. Critics argue that the simplified language and thought-for-thought approach can sometimes result in a loss of depth and richness found in the original texts. Some theologians believe that the ERV’s emphasis on accessibility may lead to oversimplification of complex theological concepts. Nonetheless, the Easy-To-Read Version remains a highly valuable translation for its target audience, offering a clear and approachable rendition of the Bible that helps people of all backgrounds engage with and understand the scriptures.