« | Hebrews 3 | » |
1 So, my brothers and sisters, those chosen by God to be his holy people think about Jesus. He is the one we believe God sent to save us and to be our high priest.
2 God made him our high priest, and he was faithful to God just as Moses was. He did everything God wanted him to do in God's house.
3 When someone builds a house, people will honor the builder more than the house. It is the same with Jesus. He should have more honor than Moses.
4 Every house is built by someone, but God built everything.
5 Moses was faithful as a servant in God's whole house. He told people what God would say in the future.
6 But Christ is faithful in ruling God's house as the Son. And we are God's house, if we remain confident of the great hope we are glad to say we have.
7 So it is just as the Holy Spirit says: "If you hear God's voice today,
8 don't be stubborn as you were in the past, when you turned against God. That was the day you tested God in the desert.
9 For 40 years in the desert your people saw what I did. But they tested me and my patience.
10 So I was angry with them. I said, 'Their thoughts are always wrong. They have never understood my ways.'
11 So I was angry and made a promise: 'They will never enter my place of rest.'"
12 So, brothers and sisters, be careful that none of you has the evil thoughts that cause so much doubt that you stop following the living God.
13 But encourage each other every day, while you still have something called "today. " Help each other so that none of you will be fooled by sin and become too hard to change.
14 We have the honor of sharing in all that Christ has if we continue until the end to have the sure faith we had in the beginning.
15 That's why the Spirit said, "If you hear God's voice today, don't be stubborn as in the past when you turned against God."
16 Who were those who heard God's voice and turned against him? It was all the people Moses led out of Egypt.
17 And who was God angry with for 40 years? He was angry with those who sinned. And their dead bodies were left in the desert.
18 And which people was God talking to when he promised that they would never enter his place of rest? He was talking to those who did not obey him.
19 So we see that they were not allowed to enter and have God's rest, because they did not believe.
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.