« | Deuteronomy 27 | » |
1 Moses and the elders of Israel spoke to the people. Moses said, "Obey all the commands that I give you today.
2 You will soon go across the Jordan River into the land that the Lord your God is giving you. On that day you must put up large stones. Cover them with plaster.
3 Then write on the stones all these commands and teachings. You must do this when you go across the Jordan River. Then you may go into the land that the Lord your God is giving you—a land filled with many good things. The Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised to give you this land.
4 "After you go across the Jordan River, you must do what I command you today. You must set up the stones on Mount Ebal. You must cover these stones with plaster.
5 Also, use some stones there to build an altar to the Lord your God. Don't use iron tools to cut the stones.
6 You must not use cut stones to build the altar for the Lord your God. Offer burnt offerings on this altar to the Lord your God.
7 And you must sacrifice and eat fellowship offerings there. Eat and enjoy yourselves there together with the Lord your God.
8 You must write all of these teachings on the stones that you set up. Write clearly so that they are easy to read."
9 Moses and the Levite priests spoke to all the Israelites. Moses said, "Be quiet and listen, Israel! Today you have become the people of the Lord your God.
10 So you must do everything that the Lord your God tells you. You must obey his commands and his laws that I am giving you today."
11 That day Moses also told the people,
12 "After you have gone across the Jordan River, these tribes will stand on Mount Gerizim to read the blessings to the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.
13 And these tribes will stand on Mount Ebal to read the curses: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
14 "And the Levites will say to all the Israelites in a loud voice:
15 'Cursed is the one who makes a false god and puts it in its secret place. These false gods are only statues that some worker makes from wood, stone or metal. The Lord hates these things!' "Then all the people will answer, 'Amen!'
16 "The Levites will say, 'Cursed is the one who does not show respect to their father or their mother!' "Then all the people will answer, 'Amen!'
17 "The Levites will say, 'Cursed is the one who moves a neighbor's landmark!' "Then all the people will say, 'Amen!'
18 "The Levites will say, 'Cursed is the one who tricks a blind man into going the wrong way!' "Then all the people will say, 'Amen!'
19 "The Levites will say, 'Cursed is the one who does not give fair judgment for the foreigners, orphans, and widows!' "Then all the people will say, 'Amen!'
20 "The Levites will say, 'Cursed is the one who shames his father by marrying his father's wife.' "Then all the people will say, 'Amen!'
21 "The Levites will say, 'Cursed is the one who has sexual relations with any kind of animal!' "Then all the people will say, 'Amen!'
22 "The Levites will say, 'Cursed is the one who has sexual relations with his sister or half sister!' "Then all the people will say, 'Amen!'
23 "The Levites will say, 'Cursed is the one who has sexual relations with his mother-in-law!' "Then all the people will say, 'Amen!'
24 "The Levites will say, 'Cursed is the one who kills anyone, even if he is not caught!' "Then all the people will say, 'Amen!'
25 "The Levites will say, 'Cursed is the one who takes money to kill an innocent person!' "Then all the people will say, 'Amen!'
26 "The Levites will say, 'Cursed is the one who does not support this law and agree to obey it.' "Then all the people will say, 'Amen!'
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.