« | Ephesians 3 | » |
1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles,
2 If that ordering of the grace of God has come to your knowledge, which was given to me for you,
3 How by revelation the secret was made clear to me, as I said before in a short letter,
4 By the reading of which you will be clear about my knowledge of the secret of Christ;
5 Which in other generations was not given to the sons of men, but the revelation of it has now been made to his holy Apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
6 Which is that the Gentiles have a part in the heritage, and in the same body, and in the same hope in Christ through the good news,
7 Of which I was made a preacher, through that grace of God which was given to me in the measure of the working of his power.
8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, was this grace given, so that I might make clear to the Gentiles the good news of the unending wealth of Christ:
9 And make all men see what is the ordering of the secret which from the first has been kept in God who made all things;
10 So that now to the rulers and the authorities in the heavens might be made clear through the church the wide-shining wisdom of God,
11 Which is seen in his eternal purpose in Christ Jesus our Lord:
12 By whom we come near to God without fear through faith in him.
13 For this reason it is my prayer that you may not become feeble because of my troubles for you, which are your glory.
14 For this cause I go down on my knees before the Father,
15 From whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
16 That in the wealth of his glory he would make you strong with power through his Spirit in your hearts;
17 So that Christ may have his place in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and based in love,
18 May have strength to see with all the saints how wide and long and high and deep it is,
19 And to have knowledge of the love of Christ which is outside all knowledge, so that you may be made complete as God himself is complete.
20 Now to him who is able to do in full measure more than all our desires or thoughts, through the power which is working in us,
21 To him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations for ever and ever. 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.