« | 1 Thessalonians 5 |
1 But about the times and their order, my brothers, there is no need for me to say anything to you.
2 For you yourselves have the knowledge that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
3 When they say, There is peace and no danger, then sudden destruction will come on them, as birth-pains on a woman with child; and they will not be able to get away from it.
4 But you, my brothers, are not in the dark, for that day to overtake you like a thief:
5 For you are all sons of light and of the day: we are not of the night or of the dark.
6 So then, let us not take our rest as the others do, but let us be self-controlled and awake.
7 For those who are sleeping do so in the night; and those who are the worse for drink are so in the night;
8 But let us, who are of the day, be serious, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and on our heads, the hope of salvation.
9 For God's purpose for us is not wrath, but salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who was put to death for us, so that, awake or sleeping, we may have a part in his life.
11 So then, go on comforting and building up one another, as you have been doing.
12 But we make this request to you, my brothers: give attention to those who are working among you, who are over you in the Lord to keep order among you;
13 And have a high opinion of them in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
14 And our desire is that you will keep control over those whose lives are not well ordered, giving comfort to the feeble-hearted, supporting those with little strength, and putting up with much from all.
15 Let no one give evil for evil; but ever go after what is good, for one another and for all.
16 Have joy at all times.
17 Keep on with your prayers.
18 In everything give praise: for this is the purpose of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not put out the light of the Spirit;
20 Do not make little of the words of the prophets;
21 Let all things be tested; keep to what is good;
22 Keep from every form of evil.
23 And may the God of peace himself make you holy in every way; and may your spirit and soul and body be free from all sin at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 God, by whom you have been marked out in his purpose, is unchanging and will make it complete.
25 Brothers, keep us in mind in your prayers.
26 Give all the brothers a holy kiss.
27 I give orders in the name of the Lord that all the brothers are to be present at the reading of this letter.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
The Bible in Basic English (BBE)
The Bible in Basic English (BBE) is a translation of the Bible that aims to make the scriptures accessible to people with limited English proficiency. Completed in 1941 by Professor Samuel Henry Hooke and a team of scholars, the BBE utilizes a simplified vocabulary of approximately 1,000 basic English words, along with additional words necessary to maintain the integrity of the biblical text. This approach ensures that the translation is easily understandable while still conveying the core messages and teachings of the Bible.
One of the defining features of the BBE is its commitment to simplicity and clarity. By using a restricted vocabulary and straightforward sentence structures, the BBE makes it easier for readers to grasp the fundamental ideas of the scriptures without being hindered by complex language. This makes the BBE particularly valuable for non-native English speakers, children, and individuals with limited literacy skills. The translation aims to break down language barriers, allowing a broader audience to engage with Bible teachings.
Despite its simplified language, the BBE strives to remain faithful to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. The translators worked carefully to ensure that the essential meanings and theological concepts were preserved, even as they adapted the language to be more accessible. This balance of simplicity and fidelity to the original texts helps maintain the Bible’ s depth and spiritual richness while making it more approachable. The BBE’ s emphasis on clarity without sacrificing essential meaning has made it a useful tool for teaching and evangelism.
However, the BBE has faced some criticism, particularly from scholars and theologians who argue that the simplification process may lead to the loss of some nuances and deeper meanings present in the original languages. Some feel that the restricted vocabulary can oversimplify complex theological concepts, potentially limiting the reader’ s understanding of the full depth of the scriptures. Despite these criticisms, the Bible in Basic English remains a valuable resource for those seeking an easily understandable version of the Bible, providing a bridge for many to access the timeless messages contained within the holy scriptures.