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1 He made a bronze altar that was 20 cubits long, 20 cubits wide, and 10 cubits tall.
2 Then he made a large tank from melted bronze. It was round and it measured 10 cubits across from edge to edge. It was 5 cubits tall and about 30 cubits around.
3 There were images of bulls under the lip of the large bronze tank. They were in two rows that went 10 cubits around the tank. The bulls were molded in place when the tank was shaped.
4 The large bronze tank was on top of twelve large statues of bulls. Three bulls looked toward the north. Three bulls looked toward the west. Three bulls looked toward the south. Three bulls looked toward the east. The large bronze tank was on top of these bulls. All the bulls stood with their rear ends to each other and to the center.
5 The large bronze tank was 3 inches thick. The edge of the large tank was like the edge of a cup. The edge looked like a lily blossom. The tank could hold about 17,400 gallons.
6 He made ten basins. He put five basins on the right side of the large bronze tank and five basins on the left side. These ten basins were to be used to wash the things offered for the burnt offerings. But the large bronze tank was to be used by the priests for washing before they offered sacrifices.
7 He made ten lampstands of gold. He followed the plans made for these lampstands. He put the lampstands in the Temple. There were five lampstands on the right side and five lampstands on the left side.
8 He made ten tables and put them in the Temple. Five tables were on the right side and five tables on the left side in the Temple. And he used gold to make 100 basins.
9 He also made the Priests' yard, the Great yard, and the doors for the yards. He used bronze to cover the doors that opened to the yard.
10 Then he put the large bronze tank on the right side of the Temple on the southeast side.
11 Huram made the pots, shovels, and basins. Then he finished his work for King Solomon on God's Temple.
12 Huram had made the two columns and the large bowls on the top parts of the two columns. He also made the two net decorations to cover the two large bowls on the top parts of the two columns.
13 Huram made 400 pomegranates for the two net decorations. There were two rows of pomegranates for each net. The nets covered the large bowls on the top parts on the two columns.
14 He also made the stands and the bowls on the stands.
15 He made the one large bronze tank and twelve bulls under the tank.
16 Huram made the pots, shovels, forks, and all the things for King Solomon for the Lord's Temple. These things were made of polished bronze.
17 King Solomon first poured these things in clay molds. The molds were made in the Jordan Valley between the towns of Succoth and Zeredah.
18 Solomon made so many of them that no one tried to weigh the bronze used.
19 Solomon also made the dishes and things for God's Temple. He made the golden altar and the tables where they put the bread of the Presence.
20 He made the lamps and lampstands of pure gold. These were put inside the Holy Place in front of the Most Holy Place.
21 He used pure gold to make the flowers, lamps, and tongs.
22 He used pure gold to make the trimmers, bowls, pans, and the censers. He used pure gold to make the doors for the Temple, the inside doors for the Most Holy Place and the doors for the main hall.
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.