« | Isaiah 62 | » |
1 I love Zion, so I will continue to speak for her. I love Jerusalem, so I will not stop speaking. I will speak until goodness shines like a bright light, until salvation burns bright like a flame.
2 Then all nations will see your goodness. All kings will see your honor. Then you will have a new name that the Lord himself will give you.
3 You will be like a beautiful crown that the Lord holds up, like a crown in the hand of your God.
4 You will never again be called 'The People God Left.' Your land will never again be called 'The Land God Destroyed.' You will be called 'The People God Loves.' Your land will be called 'God's Bride,' because the Lord loves you, and your land will be his.
5 As a young man takes a bride and she belongs to him, so your land will belong to your children. As a man is happy with his new wife, so your God will be happy with you.
6 Jerusalem, I put guards on your walls. They will not be silent. They will keep praying day and night. Guards, keep praying to the Lord. Remind him of his promise. Don't ever stop praying.
7 Don't give him any rest until he rebuilds Jerusalem and makes it a place that everyone on earth will praise.
8 The Lord made a promise and guaranteed it by his own power. And he will use that power to keep his promise. The Lord said, "I promise that I will never again give your food to your enemies. I promise that they will never again take the wine you make.
9 Whoever gathers the food will eat it and praise the Lord. Whoever gathers the grapes will drink the wine in the courtyards of my Temple."
10 Come through the gates! Clear the way for the people! Prepare the road! Move all the stones off the road! Raise a flag as a sign for the nations!
11 Listen, the Lord is speaking to all the faraway lands: "Tell the people of Zion, 'Look, your Savior is coming. He is bringing your reward to you. He is bringing it with him.'"
12 His people will be called "The Holy People," "The Saved People of the Lord." And you, Jerusalem, will be called "The City God Wants," "The City God Is With."
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.