« | Isaiah 52 | » |
1 Wake up! Wake up! Zion, clothe yourself with strength. Holy city of Jerusalem, stand up and put on your beautiful clothes! Those filthy foreigners will not enter you again.
2 Jerusalem, get up and shake off the dust! Daughter Zion, you were a prisoner, but take the chains off your neck.
3 The Lord says, "You were not sold for money. So I will not use money to set you free."
4 The Lord God says, "First, my people went down to Egypt and became slaves. Then Assyria made them slaves.
5 Now look what has happened. Another nation has taken my people. That country did not pay to take my people, but they rule over them and laugh at them, and they say bad things about me all the time."
6 The Lord says, "This happened so that my people will learn about me. My people will know who I am. My people will know my name, and they will know that I Am He is speaking to them."
7 How wonderful it is to see someone coming over the hills to tell good news. How wonderful to hear him announce, "There is peace! We have been saved!" and to hear him say to Zion, "Your God is the king!"
8 The city guards are shouting. They are all rejoicing together. They can all see the Lord returning to Zion.
9 Ruins of Jerusalem, be happy again! Rejoice because the Lord comforted his people and set Jerusalem free.
10 The Lord showed his holy strength to all the nations. All the faraway countries saw how God saved his people.
11 So leave Babylon! Leave that place! Priests, you carry the things that are used in worship. So make yourselves pure. Don't touch anything that is not pure.
12 You will leave Babylon, but they will not force you to leave in a hurry. You will not be forced to run away. The Lord will be in front of you. The God of Israel will be behind you.
13 The Lord says, "Look, my servant will succeed in what he has to do, and he will be raised to a position of high honor.
14 It is true that many were shocked when they saw him. He was beaten so badly that he no longer looked like a man.
15 But it is also true that many nations will be amazed at him. Kings will look at him and be unable to speak. They will see what they had never been told. They will understand what they had never heard. "
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.