« | Isaiah 40 | » |
1 Your God says, "Comfort, comfort my people.
2 Speak kindly to Jerusalem and tell her, 'Your time of service is finished. You have paid the price for your sins.' Lord, you punished Jerusalem twice for every sin she committed."
3 Listen, there is someone shouting: "Prepare a way in the desert for the Lord. Make a straight road there for our God.
4 Every valley must be filled. Every mountain and hill should be made flat. The crooked roads should be made straight, and the rough ground made smooth.
5 Then the Glory of the Lord will be shown to everyone. Together, all people will see it. Yes, this is what the Lord himself said!"
6 A voice said, "Speak!" So the man said, "What should I say?" The voice said, "People are like grass. Any glory they enjoy is like a wildflower.
7 When a wind from the Lord blows on them, the grass dies and the flower falls. Yes, all people are like grass.
8 Grass dies and flowers fall, but the word of our God lasts forever."
9 Zion, you have good news to tell. Go up on a high mountain and shout the good news. Jerusalem, you have good news to tell. Don't be afraid; speak loudly. Tell this news to all the cities of Judah: "Look, here is your God!"
10 The Lord God is coming with power. He will use his power to rule all the people. He will bring rewards for his people. He will have their payment with him.
11 Like a good shepherd, the Lord takes care of his people. He gathers them like little lambs in his arms. He holds them close, while their mothers walk beside him.
12 Who measured the oceans in the palm of his hand? Who used his hand to measure the sky? Who used a bowl to measure all the dust of the earth? Who used scales to measure the mountains and hills?
13 Who could know the Lord's mind? Who could be his teacher or give him advice?
14 Did the Lord ask for anyone's help? Did anyone teach him to be fair? Did anyone teach him knowledge? Did anyone teach him to be wise?
15 Look, all the nations in the world are like one small drop in the bucket. If the Lord took all the faraway nations and put them on his scales, they would be like small pieces of dust.
16 All the trees in Lebanon are not enough to burn on the altar for the Lord. And all the animals in Lebanon are not enough to kill for a sacrifice.
17 Compared to God, all the nations of the world are nothing. Compared to him, they are worth nothing at all.
18 Can you compare God to anything? Can you make a picture of God?
19 No, but some people make statues from rock or wood, and they call them gods. One worker makes a statue. Then another worker covers it with gold and makes silver chains for it.
20 For the base he chooses special wood, a kind of wood that will not rot. Then he finds a good wood worker, and the worker makes a "god" that will not fall over.
21 Surely you know the truth, don't you? Surely you have heard. Surely someone told you long ago. Surely you understand who made the earth.
22 It is the Lord who sits above the circle of the earth. And compared to him, people are like grasshoppers. He rolled open the skies like a piece of cloth. He stretched out the skies like a tent to sit under.
23 He takes away the power of rulers. He makes the world's leaders completely worthless.
24 They are like plants that are planted in the ground. But before they can send their roots into the ground, God blows on the "plants"; they become dead and dry, and the wind blows them away like straw.
25 The Holy One says, "Can you compare me to anyone? No one is equal to me."
26 Look up to the skies. Who created all those stars? Who created all those "armies" in the sky? Who knows every star by name? He is very strong and powerful, so not one of these stars is lost.
27 People of Jacob, this is true. Israel, you should believe it. So why do you say, "The Lord cannot see the way I live; he will not find me and punish me"?
28 Surely you know the truth. Surely you have heard. The Lord is the God who lives forever! He created all the faraway places on earth. He does not get tired and weary. You cannot learn all he knows.
29 The Lord helps tired people be strong. He gives power to those without it.
30 Young men get tired and need to rest. Even young boys stumble and fall.
31 But those who trust in the Lord will become strong again—like eagles that grow new feathers. They will run and not get weak. They will walk and not get tired.
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.