« | Ezekiel 35 | » |
1 The word of the Lord came to me. He said,
2 "Son of man, look toward Mount Seir, and speak against it for me.
3 Say to it, 'This is what the Lord God says: "'I am against you, Mount Seir! I will punish you and make you an empty wasteland.
4 I will destroy your cities, and you will become empty. Then you will know that I am the Lord.
5 Why? Because you have always been against my people. You used your sword against Israel at the time of their trouble, at the time of their final punishment.'"
6 So the Lord God says, "I promise by my own life that I will let death have you. Death will chase you. You did not hate killing people, so death will chase you.
7 I will make Mount Seir an empty ruin. I will kill everyone who enters or leaves that city.
8 I will cover its mountains with those who are killed. There will be dead bodies all over your hills, in your valleys, and in all your ravines.
9 I will make you empty forever. No one will live in your cities. Then you will know that I am the Lord."
10 You said, "These two nations and countries, Israel and Judah, will be mine. We will take them for our own." But the Lord is there!
11 And the Lord God says, "You were jealous of my people. You were angry and hateful to them. So by my life, I swear that I will punish you the same way you hurt them! I will punish you and let my people know that I am with them.
12 And then you, too, will know that I have heard all your insults. You said many bad things against the mountain of Israel. You said, 'Israel has been destroyed! We will chew them up like food!'
13 And you were proud and said things against me. You spoke too many times and I have heard every word you said. Yes, I heard you."
14 This is what the Lord God says: "All the earth will be happy when I destroy you.
15 You were happy when the country of Israel was destroyed. I will treat you the same way. Mount Seir and the whole country of Edom will be destroyed. Then you 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.