« | Ecclesiastes 7 | » |
1 A good reputation is better than expensive pleasures. The day someone dies is even better than the day they were born.
2 It is even better to go to a funeral than to a party, because everyone must die, and the living need to remember this.
3 Sorrow is even better than laughter, because when our face is sad, our heart becomes good.
4 A wise person thinks about death, but a fool thinks only about having a good time.
5 It is better to be criticized by the wise than praised by the foolish.
6 The laughter of fools is such a waste. It is like thorns burning under a pot. The thorns burn so quickly that the pot does not get hot.
7 Even the wise will forget their wisdom, if someone pays them enough. That money destroys their understanding.
8 It is better to finish something than to start it. It is better to be gentle and patient than to be proud and impatient.
9 Don't become angry quickly, because anger is foolish.
10 Don't say, "Life was better in the 'good old days.' What happened?" Wisdom does not lead us to ask that question.
11 Wisdom is better if you also have property. Wise people will get more than enough wealth.
12 Wisdom and money can protect you. But knowledge gained through wisdom is even better—it can save your life.
13 Look at what God has made. You cannot change a thing, even if you think it is wrong.
14 When life is good, enjoy it. But when life is hard, remember that God gives us good times and hard times. And no one knows what will happen in the future.
15 In my short life, I have seen everything. I have seen good people die young, and I have seen evil people live long lives.
16 So why ruin your life? Don't be too good or too bad, and don't be too wise or too foolish. Why should you die before your time?
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18 Try to be a little of this and a little of that. Even God's followers will do some good things and some bad things.
19 Surely there is no one on earth who always does good and never sins. But wisdom can make one person stronger than ten leaders in a city.
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21 Don't listen to everything people say. You might hear your own servant saying bad things about you.
22 And you know that many times you too have said bad things about other people.
23 I used my wisdom and thought about all these things. I wanted to be wise, but I couldn't do it.
24 I cannot understand why things are as they are. It is too hard for anyone to understand.
25 I studied and I tried very hard to find true wisdom. I tried to find a reason for everything. I did learn that it is foolish to be evil, and it is crazy to act like a fool.
26 I also found that some women are dangerous like traps. Their hearts are like nets, and their arms are like chains. It is worse than death to be caught by these women. God's followers should run away from them. Let the sinners be caught by them.
27 The Teacher says, "I added all this together to see what answer I could find. I am still looking for answers, but I did find this: I found one {good} man in a thousand. But I did not find even one {good} woman.
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29 "There is one other thing I have learned. God made people good, but they have found many ways to be bad."
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.