« | Isaiah 48 | » |
1 The Lord says, "Family of Jacob, listen to me! You people call yourself 'Israel,' but you are from Judah's family. You use the Lord's name to make promises. You claim to worship the God of Israel, but you are not honest and sincere.
2 "Yes, you call yourselves citizens of the Holy City, those who depend on the God of Israel. The Lord All-Powerful is his name.
3 "Long ago I told you what would happen. I told you about these things. And suddenly I made them happen.
4 I did that because I knew you were stubborn. You were like iron that will not bend; your heads were as hard as bronze.
5 So long ago I told you what would happen. I told you about those things long before they happened. I did this so that you could not say, 'The gods we made did this. Our idols, our statues, made this happen.'"
6 "You heard what I said would happen. And you can see it has all been done. Shouldn't you tell this to others? Now I will tell you about new things, secrets you have not known before.
7 This is something that is happening now, not long ago. You have not heard about it before today. So you cannot say, 'We already knew that.'
8 But even in the past, you didn't listen. You didn't learn anything. You never listen to what I say. I have always known that you would turn against me. You have rebelled against me from the time you were born.
9 "But I will be patient. I will do this for myself. People will praise me for not becoming angry and destroying you. You will praise me for waiting.
10 "Look, I will make you pure, but not in the way you make silver pure. I will make you pure by giving you troubles.
11 I will do this for myself—for me! I will not let you treat me as if I am not important. I will not let some false god take my glory and praise.
12 "Jacob, listen to me! Israel, I called you to be my people. So listen to me! I am the Beginning, and I am the End.
13 I made the earth with my own hands. My right hand made the sky. And if I call them, they will come to stand before me.
14 "All of you, come here and listen to me. Did any of the false gods say these things would happen? No!" The Lord's friend will do what he wants to Babylon and the Chaldeans.
15 "I told you that I would call him. I will lead him, and I will make him succeed.
16 Come here and listen to me! I was there when Babylon began as a nation. And from the beginning, I spoke clearly so that people could know what I said." Now the Lord God sends me and his Spirit to tell you these things.
17 The Lord, the Savior, the Holy One of Israel, says, "I am the Lord your God. I teach you for your own good. I lead you in the way you should go.
18 If you had obeyed me, then peace would have come to you like a full flowing river. Good things would have come to you again and again, like the waves of the sea.
19 If you had obeyed me, you would have had as many children as there are grains of sand. And they would have always been mine and would never have been destroyed."
20 My people, leave Babylon! My people, run from the Chaldeans! Tell the news with joy. Spread the news around the world. Tell them, "The Lord rescued his servant Jacob."
21 They never got thirsty as he led them through the desert, because he made water flow from a rock. He split the rock, and water flowed out.
22 But the Lord also said, "There is no peace for evil people."
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.