« | Deuteronomy 27 | » |
1 Then Moses and the responsible men of Israel gave the people these orders: Keep all the orders which I have given you this day;
2 And on the day when you go over Jordan into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, put up great stones, coating them with building-paste,
3 And writing on them all the words of this law, after you have gone over; so that you may take the heritage which the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has said.
4 And when you have gone over Jordan, you are to put up these stones, as I have said to you today, in Mount Ebal, and have them coated with building-paste.
5 There you are to make an altar to the Lord your God, of stones on which no iron instrument has been used.
6 You are to make the altar of the Lord your God of uncut stones; offering on it burned offerings to the Lord your God:
7 And you are to make your peace-offerings, feasting there with joy before the Lord your God.
8 And put on the stones all the words of this law, writing them very clearly.
9 Then Moses and the priests, the Levites, said to all Israel, Be quiet and give ear, O Israel; today you have become the people of the Lord your God.
10 For this cause you are to give ear to the voice of the Lord your God, and do his orders and his laws which I give you this day.
11 That same day Moses said to the people,
12 These are to take their places on Mount Gerizim for blessing the people when you have gone over Jordan: Simeon and Levi and Judah and Issachar and Joseph and Benjamin;
13 And these are to be on Mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
14 Then the Levites are to say in a loud voice to all the men of Israel,
15 Cursed is the man who makes any image of wood or stone or metal, disgusting to the Lord, the work of man's hands, and puts it up in secret. And let all the people say, So be it.
16 Cursed is he who does not give honour to his father or mother. And let all the people say, So be it.
17 Cursed is he who takes his neighbour's landmark from its place. And let all the people say, So be it.
18 Cursed is he by whom the blind are turned out of the way. And let all the people say, So be it.
19 Cursed is he who gives a wrong decision in the cause of a man from a strange land, or of one without a father, or of a widow. And let all the people say, So be it.
20 Cursed is he who has sex relations with his father's wife, for he has put shame on his father. And let all the people say, So be it.
21 Cursed is he who has sex relations with any sort of beast. And let all the people say, So be it.
22 Cursed is he who has sex relations with his sister, the daughter of his father or of his mother. And let all the people say, So be it.
23 Cursed is he who has sex relations with his mother-in-law. And let all the people say, So be it.
24 Cursed is he who takes his neighbour's life secretly. And let all the people say, So be it.
25 Cursed is he who for a reward puts to death one who has done no wrong. And let all the people say, So be it.
26 Cursed is he who does not take this law to heart to do it. And let all the people say, So be it.
The Bible in Basic English (BBE)
The Bible in Basic English (BBE) is a translation of the Bible that aims to make the scriptures accessible to people with limited English proficiency. Completed in 1941 by Professor Samuel Henry Hooke and a team of scholars, the BBE utilizes a simplified vocabulary of approximately 1,000 basic English words, along with additional words necessary to maintain the integrity of the biblical text. This approach ensures that the translation is easily understandable while still conveying the core messages and teachings of the Bible.
One of the defining features of the BBE is its commitment to simplicity and clarity. By using a restricted vocabulary and straightforward sentence structures, the BBE makes it easier for readers to grasp the fundamental ideas of the scriptures without being hindered by complex language. This makes the BBE particularly valuable for non-native English speakers, children, and individuals with limited literacy skills. The translation aims to break down language barriers, allowing a broader audience to engage with Bible teachings.
Despite its simplified language, the BBE strives to remain faithful to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. The translators worked carefully to ensure that the essential meanings and theological concepts were preserved, even as they adapted the language to be more accessible. This balance of simplicity and fidelity to the original texts helps maintain the Bible’ s depth and spiritual richness while making it more approachable. The BBE’ s emphasis on clarity without sacrificing essential meaning has made it a useful tool for teaching and evangelism.
However, the BBE has faced some criticism, particularly from scholars and theologians who argue that the simplification process may lead to the loss of some nuances and deeper meanings present in the original languages. Some feel that the restricted vocabulary can oversimplify complex theological concepts, potentially limiting the reader’ s understanding of the full depth of the scriptures. Despite these criticisms, the Bible in Basic English remains a valuable resource for those seeking an easily understandable version of the Bible, providing a bridge for many to access the timeless messages contained within the holy scriptures.