« | 1 Samuel 3 | » |
1 The boy Samuel was Eli's helper and served the Lord with him. At that time the Lord did not speak directly to people very often. There were very few visions.
2 Eli's eyes were getting so weak that he was almost blind. One night he went to his room to go to bed.
3 The special lamp in the temple was still burning, so Samuel lay down in the temple near where the Holy Box was.
4 The Lord called Samuel, and Samuel answered, "Here I am."
5 Samuel thought Eli was calling him, so he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am. You called me." But Eli said, "I didn't call you. Go back to bed." So Samuel went back to bed.
6 Again the Lord called, "Samuel!" Again Samuel ran to Eli and said, "Here I am. You called me." Eli said, "I didn't call you. Go back to bed."
7 Samuel did not yet know the Lord because the Lord had not spoken directly to him before.
8 The Lord called Samuel the third time. Again Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am. You called me." Finally, Eli understood that the Lord was calling the boy.
9 Eli told Samuel, "Go to bed. If he calls you again, say, 'Speak, Lord. I amyour servant, and I am listening.'" So Samuel went back to bed.
10 The Lord came and stood there. He called as he did before, saying, "Samuel, Samuel!" Samuel said, "Speak. I am your servant, and I am listening."
11 The Lord said to Samuel, "I will soon do things in Israel that will shock anyone who hears about them.
12 I will do everything I said I would do against Eli and his family, everything from the beginning to the end.
13 I told Eli I would punish his family forever. I will do this because Eli knew his sons were saying and doing bad things against God. But he failed to control them.
14 That is why I swore an oath that sacrifices and grain offerings will never take away the sins of the people in Eli's family. "
15 Samuel lay down in bed until the morning came. He got up early and opened the doors of the Lord's house. Samuel was afraid to tell Eli about the vision.
16 But Eli said to Samuel, "Samuel, my son." Samuel answered, "Yes, sir."
17 Eli asked, "What did the Lord say to you? Don't hide it from me. God will punish you if you hide anything from the message he spoke to you."
18 So Samuel told Eli everything. He did not hide anything from Eli. Eli said, "He is the Lord. Let him do whatever he thinks is right."
19 The Lord was with Samuel while he grew up. He did not let any of Samuel's messages prove false.
20 Then all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, knew that Samuel was a true prophet of the Lord.
21 And the Lord continued to appear to Samuel at Shiloh. He revealed himself to Samuel as the word of the Lord.
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.