« | Ezekiel 2 | » |
1 The voice said, "Son of man, stand up and I will speak with you."
2 Then the Spirit came into me and lifted me up on my feet, and I listened to the one who spoke to me.
3 He said, "Son of man, I am sending you to speak to the family of Israel. Those people and their ancestors turned against me many times. They have sinned against me many times—and they are still sinning against me today.
4 I am sending you to speak to them, but they are very stubborn. They are very hard headed, but you must speak to them. You must say, 'This is what the Lord God says.'
5 They are a rebellious people, so they may not listen to you and stop sinning, but at least they will know that there is a prophet living among them.
6 "Son of man, don't be afraid of the people or what they say. It is true: they will turn against you and try to hurt you. Their words will be sharp like thorns and will sting like scorpions. But don't be afraid of what they say. They are a rebellious people, but don't be afraid of them.
7 You must tell them what I say whether they listen and stop sinning or not. They are a rebellious people!
8 "Son of man, you must listen to what I say to you. Don't turn against me like those rebellious people. Open your mouth and {accept the words I give you and then speak them to the people}. Eat these words."
9 Then I saw an arm reach out toward me. It was holding a scroll with words written on it.
10 It rolled the scroll open in front of me. Words were on the front and on the back of the scroll. There were all kinds of sad songs, sad stories, and warnings.
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.