« | Daniel 12 |
1 "Daniel, at that time the great prince (angel) Michael will stand up. Michael is in charge of your people. There will be a time of much trouble, the worst time since nations have been on earth. But Daniel, at that time every one of your people whose name is found written in the book {of life} will be saved.
2 There are many who are dead and buried. Some of them will wake up and live forever, but others will wake up to shame and disgrace forever.
3 The wise people will shine as bright as the sky. Those who teach others to live right will shine like stars forever and ever.
4 "But you, Daniel, keep this message a secret. You must close the book and keep this secret until the time of the end. Many people will go here and there looking for true knowledge, and the true knowledge will increase."
5 Then I, Daniel, noticed two other men. One man was standing on my side of the river, and the other was standing on the other side.
6 The man who was dressed in linen was standing over the water in the river. One of the two men said to him, "How long will it be before these amazing things come true?"
7 The man dressed in linen and standing over the water lifted his right and left hands toward heaven. And I heard him make a promise using the name of God who lives forever. He said, "It will be for three and one-half years. The power of the holy people will be broken, and then all these things will finally come true."
8 I heard the answer, but I really didn't understand. So I asked, "Sir, what will happen after all this comes true?"
9 He answered, "Go on about your life Daniel. The message is hidden. It will be a secret until the time of the end.
10 Many people will be made pure—they will make themselves clean. But evil people will continue to be evil. And those wicked people will not understand these things, but the wise people will understand them.
11 "The daily sacrifice will be stopped. There will be 1290 days from that time until the time that the terrible thing that destroys is set up.
12 The one who waits for, and comes to, the end of the 1335 days will be very happy.
13 "As for you, Daniel, go and live your life till the end. You will get your rest. At the end you will rise from death and receive your share of the promise."
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.