« | Ezekiel 25 | » |
1 The word of the Lord came to me. He said,
2 "Son of man, look toward the people of Ammon and speak against them for me.
3 Say to them: 'Listen to the word of the Lord God! This is what the Lord God says: You were happy when my holy place was destroyed. You were against the land of Israel when it was polluted. You were against the family of Judah when the people were carried away as prisoners.
4 So I will give you to the people from the east. They will get your land. Their armies will set up their camps in your country. They will live among you and eat your fruit and drink your milk.
5 "'I will make the city Rabbah a pasture for camels and the country of Ammon a sheep pen. Then you will know that I am the Lord.
6 This is what the Lord says: You were happy that Jerusalem was destroyed. You clapped your hands and stamped your feet. You had fun insulting the land of Israel,
7 so I will punish you. You will be like the valuable things soldiers take in war. You will lose your inheritance and die in faraway lands. I will destroy your country! Then you will know that I am the Lord.'"
8 This is what the Lord God says: "Moab and Seir say, 'The family of Judah is just like any other nation.'
9 I will cut into Moab's shoulder—I will take away its cities, which are on its borders, the glory of the land, Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon, and Kiriathaim.
10 Then I will give these cities to the people of the east. They will get your land. I will also let those people from the east destroy the Ammonites, and people will forget they were ever a nation.
11 So I will punish Moab, and then they will know that I am the Lord."
12 This is what the Lord God says: "The people of Edom turned against the family of Judah and tried to get even. The people of Edom are guilty."
13 So the Lord God says: "I will punish Edom. I will destroy the people and the animals in Edom. I will destroy the whole country of Edom, all the way from Teman to Dedan. The Edomites will be killed in battle.
14 I will use my people Israel and get even against Edom. In this way the people of Israel will show my anger against Edom. Then the people of Edom will know that I punished them." This is what the Lord God said.
15 This is what the Lord God says: "The Philistines tried to get even. They were very cruel. They let their anger burn inside them too long."
16 So the Lord God said, "I will punish the Philistines. Yes, I will destroy those people from Crete. I will completely destroy those people who live on the seacoast.
17 I will punish them—I will get even. I will let my anger teach them a lesson. Then they will know that I am the Lord!"
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.