« | Isaiah 56 | » |
1 The Lord said these things, "Be fair to all people. Do what is right, because soon my salvation will come to you. My goodness will soon be shown to the whole world.
2 I will bless those who refuse to do wrong and who obey the law about the Sabbath. "
3 Some foreigners will choose to follow the Lord. They should not say, "The Lord will not really accept me like the rest of his people." A eunuch should not say, "I am only a dry piece of wood. {I cannot have any children.}"
4 They should not say that because the Lord says, "Some eunuchs obey the laws about the Sabbath. They choose to do what I want, and they follow my agreement.
5 So I will put a memorial stone in my Temple for them. Their name will be remembered in my city! Yes, I will give those eunuchs something better than sons and daughters. I will give them a name that will last forever! They will not be cut off from my people."
6 "Some foreigners have chosen to follow the Lord. They do this so that they can serve him and love his name and be his servants. They keep the Sabbath as a special day of worship, and they will continue to follow closely my agreement.
7 So I will bring them to my holy mountain and make them happy in my house of prayer. The offerings and sacrifices they give me will please me, because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations."
8 The Lord God said these things. The Israelites were forced to leave their country, but the Lord will gather them together again. He says, "I will bring them back together again!"
9 Wild animals in the forest, come and eat.
10 The watchmen are all blind. They don't know what they are doing. They are like dogs that will not bark. They lie on the ground and sleep. Oh, they love to sleep.
11 They are like hungry dogs. They are never satisfied. The shepherds don't know what they are doing. Like their sheep, they have all wandered away. They are greedy. All they want is to satisfy themselves.
12 They come and say, "I will drink some wine. I will drink some beer. I will do the same thing tomorrow, but I will drink even more."
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.