« | Amos 3 | » |
1 People of Israel, listen to this message! This is what the Lord said about you, Israel. This message is about all the families that I brought from the land of Egypt.
2 "There are many families on earth, but you are the only family I chose to know in a special way. {And you turned against me,} so I will punish you for all your sins."
3 Two people will not walk together unless they have agreed to do so.
4 A lion will roar in the forest only if it catches its prey. A young lion roaring in his cave means he has caught something to eat.
5 A bird doesn't fly into a trap unless there is food in it. If a trap closes, it will catch the bird.
6 If people hear the warning blast of a trumpet, they shake with fear. If trouble comes to a city, the Lord caused it to happen.
7 When the Lord God decides to do something, he will first tell his servants, the prophets.
8 When a lion roars, people are frightened. When the Lord speaks, prophets prophesy.
9 Go to the high towers in Ashdod and Egypt and announce this message: "Come to the mountains of Samaria. There you will see great confusion, because the people don't know how to live right. They were cruel to other people. They took things from other people and hid those things in their high towers. Their treasuries are filled with things they took in war."
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11 So the Lord says, "An enemy will come to that land and take away your strength. He will take the things you hid in your high towers."
12 The Lord says, "A lion might attack a lamb, and a shepherd might try to save the lamb. But the shepherd will save only a part of that lamb. He might pull two legs or a part of an ear from the lion's mouth. In the same way, most of the people of Israel will not be saved. Those who live in Samaria will save only a corner from a bed, or a piece of cloth from a couch."
13 This is what the Lord God All-Powerful, says: "Warn the family of Jacob about these things.
14 Israel sinned, and I will punish them for their sins. And when I do, I will also destroy the altars at Bethel. The horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground.
15 I will destroy the winter house with the summer house. The houses of ivory will be destroyed. Many houses will be destroyed." 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.