« | Ezekiel 19 | » |
1 The Lord said to me, "You must sing this sad song about the leaders of Israel.
2 "'Your mother is like a female lion, lying there with the male lions. She went to lie down with the young male lions and had many babies.
3 One of her cubs gets up. He has grown to be a strong young lion. He has learned to catch his food. He killed and ate a man.
4 "'The people heard him roar, and they caught him in their trap. They put hooks in his mouth, and carried the young lion to Egypt.
5 "'The mother lion had hoped that cub would become the leader, but now she has lost all hope. So she took another of her cubs and trained him to be a lion.
6 He hunted with the adult lions and became a strong young lion. He learned to catch his food. He killed and ate a man.
7 He attacked the palaces and destroyed the cities. Everyone in that country was too afraid to speak when hearing his growl.
8 Then the people who lived around him set a trap for him, and they caught him in their trap.
9 They put hooks on him and locked him up. They had him in their trap, so they took him to the king of Babylon. And now, you cannot hear his roar on the mountains of Israel.
10 "'Your mother is like a grapevine planted near the water. She had plenty of water, so she grew many strong vines.
11 Then she grew large branches. They were like a strong walking stick. They were like a king's scepter. The vine grew taller and taller. It had many branches and reached to the clouds.
12 But the vine was pulled up by the roots, and thrown down to the ground. The hot east wind blew and dried its fruit. The strong branches broke, and they were thrown into the fire.
13 "'Now that grapevine is planted in the desert. It is a very dry and thirsty land.
14 A fire started in the large branch and spread to destroy all of its vines and fruit. So there was no strong walking stick. There was no king's scepter.' This was a sad song about death, and it was sung as a sad song about death."
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.