« | Amos 7 | » |
1 This is what the Lord showed me: He was making locusts. This was at the time the second crop began to grow, after the king's people had cut the first crop.
2 Before the locusts could eat all the grass in the country, I said, "Lord God, I beg you, forgive us! Jacob cannot survive! He is too small!"
3 Then the Lord changed his mind about this. The Lord said, "It will not happen."
4 This is what the Lord God showed me: I saw the Lord God calling for judgment by fire. The fire destroyed the ocean and was beginning to eat up the land.
5 But I said, "Lord God, stop, I beg you! Jacob cannot survive! He is too small!"
6 Then the Lord changed his mind about this. The Lord God said, "It will not happen either."
7 This is what the Lord showed me: He stood by a wall with a plumb line in his hand. (The wall had been marked with a plumb line.)
8 The Lord said to me, "Amos, what do you see?" I said, "A plumb line." Then the Lord said to me, "See, I will put a plumb line among my people Israel. I will not let their 'crooked ways' pass inspection anymore.
9 Isaac's high places will be destroyed. Israel's holy places will be made into a pile of rocks. I will attack and kill Jeroboam's family with swords."
10 Amaziah, a priest at Bethel, sent this message to Jeroboam, the king of Israel: "Amos is making plans against you. He is trying to make the people of Israel fight against you. He has been speaking so much that this country cannot hold all his words.
11 Amos has said, 'Jeroboam will die by the sword, and the people of Israel will be taken as prisoners out of their country.'"
12 Amaziah also said to Amos, "You seer, go down to Judah and eat there. Do your prophesying there.
13 But don't prophesy anymore here at Bethel. This is Jeroboam's holy place. This is Israel's temple."
14 Then Amos answered Amaziah, "I am not a professional prophet, and I am not from a prophet's family. I keep cattle and take care of sycamore trees.
15 I was a shepherd and the Lord took me from following the sheep. The Lord said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'
16 So listen to the Lord's message. You tell me, 'Don't prophesy against Israel. Don't speak against Isaac's family.'
17 But the Lord says, 'Your wife will become a prostitute in the city. Your sons and daughters will be killed with swords. Other people will take your land and divide it among themselves, and you will die in a foreign country. The people of Israel will definitely be taken from this country as prisoners.'"
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.