« | Isaiah 38 | » |
1 At that time Hezekiah became sick and almost died. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to see him and told him, "The Lord told me to tell you this: 'You will die soon. So you should tell your family what they should do when you die. You will not get well.'"
2 Hezekiah turned toward the wall that faced the Temple and began praying to the Lord.
3 "Lord, remember that I have faithfully served you with all my heart. I have done what you say is good." Then Hezekiah cried very hard.
4 Then Isaiah received this message from the Lord:
5 "Go to Hezekiah and tell him that the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says, 'I heard your prayer, and I saw your tears. I will add 15 years to your life.
6 I will save you and this city from the king of Assyria. I will protect this city.'"
7 This is the sign from the Lord to show you that he will do what he says:
8 "Look, I am causing the shadow that is on the steps of Ahaz to move back ten steps. The sun's shadow will go back up the ten steps that it has already been on."
9 This is the letter from Hezekiah when he became well:
10 I thought I would live a full life. But now, in the middle of my life, the time has come for me to die.
11 So I said, "I will not see the Lord Yah in the land of the living again. I will not see the people living on earth.
12 My home, my shepherd's tent, is being pulled down and taken from me. I am finished like the cloth someone rolls up and cuts from the loom. You ended my life in such a short time.
13 All night I cried as loud as a lion, but my hopes were crushed like a lion eating bones. You ended my life in such a short time.
14 I cried like a bird and moaned like a dove. My eyes became tired, but I continued looking to the heavens. Lord, I am so depressed. Promise to help me."
15 What can I say? The Lord told me what would happen, and he will make it happen. I have had these troubles in my soul, so now I will be humble all my life.
16 Lord, use this hard time to make my spirit live again. Help my spirit become strong and healthy. Help me become well! Help me live again!
17 Look, my troubles are gone! I now have peace. You love me very much. You did not let me rot in the grave. You took my sins and threw them away.
18 The dead cannot praise you. People in Sheol cannot sing praises to you. Those who have died and gone below are not trusting in your faithfulness.
19 People who are alive, people like me, are the ones who will praise you. Fathers should tell their children how faithful you are.
20 So I say, "The Lord saved me. So we will sing and play songs in the Lord's Temple all our lives."
21 Then Isaiah told Hezekiah, "Crush figs together and put them on your sore, then you will get well."
22 Hezekiah asked Isaiah, "What is the sign that proves I will get well and go to the Lord's Temple?"
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.