« | Amos 2 | » |
1 This is what the Lord says: "I will definitely punish the people of Moab for the many crimes they did. Moab burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime.
2 So I will start a fire in Moab that will destroy the high towers of Kerioth. There will be terrible shouting and the sounds of a trumpet, and Moab will die.
3 So I will bring an end to the kings of Moab, and I will kill all the leaders of Moab." This is what the Lord said.
4 This is what the Lord says: "I will definitely punish Judah for the many crimes they did. They refused to obey the Lord's teachings and they did not keep his commands. Their ancestors believed lies, and those same lies caused the people of Judah to stop following God.
5 So I will start a fire in Judah that will destroy the high towers of Jerusalem."
6 This is what the Lord says: "I will definitely punish Israel for the many crimes they have done. They sold honest people for a little silver. They sold the poor for the price of a pair of sandals.
7 They pushed their faces into the ground and walked on them. They stopped listening to suffering people. Fathers and sons had sexual relations with the same woman. They ruined my holy name.
8 They took clothes from the poor, and then they sat on those clothes while worshiping at their altars. They loaned money to the poor, and then they took their clothes as a promise for payment. They made people pay fines and used the money to buy wine for themselves to drink in the temple of their god.
9 "But it was I who destroyed the Amorites before them. They were tall like cedar trees and as strong as oak trees, but I destroyed their fruit above and their roots below.
10 "I was the one who brought you from the land of Egypt. For 40 years I led you through the desert. I helped you take the Amorites' land.
11 I made some of your sons to be prophets and some of your young men to be Nazirites. People of Israel, it is true." This is what the Lord said.
12 "But you made the Nazirites drink wine. You told the prophets not to prophesy.
13 You are like a heavy weight to me. I am bent low like a wagon loaded with too much straw.
14 No one will escape—not even the fastest runner. Strong men will not be strong enough. Soldiers will not be able to save themselves.
15 People with bows and arrows will not survive. Fast runners will not escape. People on horses will not escape alive.
16 At that time even very brave soldiers will run away. They will not take the time to put their clothes on." This is what the Lord said.
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.