« | Isaiah 8 | » |
1 The Lord told me, "Get a large scroll, and use an ordinary pen to write these words: 'This is for Maher Shalal Hash Baz.' "
2 I found some men who could be trusted to serve as witnesses: Uriah the priest and Zechariah son of Jeberekiah. They watched me write those words.
3 Then I went to the woman prophet. She became pregnant and had a son. The Lord told me, "Name the boy Maher Shalal Hash Baz."
4 He said that because before the boy learns to say "Mama" and "Daddy," God will take all the wealth and riches from Damascus and Samaria and give them to the king of Assyria.
5 The Lord spoke to me again.
6 He said, "These people refuse to accept the slowmoving waters of Shiloah. They prefer Rezin and Remaliah's son."
7 But the Lord will bring the king of Assyria and all his power against them. The Assyrians will come like their swift moving river, like water that rises and spills over its banks.
8 This water will be like a flash flood as it passes through Judah. It will rise to Judah's throat and almost drown him. But he will spread his wings over your whole country, Immanuel.
9 All you nations, prepare for war. You will be defeated. Listen, all you faraway countries! Prepare for battle. You will be defeated.
10 Make your plans for the fight. Your plans will be defeated. Give orders to your armies, but your orders will be useless, because God is with us!
11 The Lord spoke to me with his great power and warned me not to be like those people. He said,
12 "Don't think there is a plan against you just because the people say there is. Don't be afraid of what they fear. Don't let them frighten you!"
13 The Lord All-Powerful is the one you should fear. He is the one you should respect. He is the one who should frighten you.
14 If you people would respect the Lord, he would be a safe place for you. But you don't respect him, so he is like a stone that you stumble over. He is a rock that makes the two families of Israel fall. The Lord has become a trap to all the people of Jerusalem.
15 (Many people will trip over this rock. They will fall and be broken. They will be caught in the trap.)
16 {The Lord said,} "Write this agreement. Tie it up and seal it so that it cannot be changed. Give these teachings to my followers for safekeeping."
17 The Lord has turned away from the family of Jacob. But I will wait for the Lord. I will wait for him to save us.
18 My children and I are signs and proofs for the people of Israel. We have been sent by the Lord All-Powerful, who lives on Mount Zion.
19 The people will say, "Go to the fortunetellers and wizards who mumble and chirp like birds. Ask them what to do." But I say, "Shouldn't people go to their God for help? Why go to the dead to get help for the living?"
20 You should follow the teachings and the agreement. I swear, if you follow those other things, there is no future for you.
21 When the enemy comes, there will be hard times and hunger. And when he becomes hungry, he will become angry. He will say curses in the name of his king and his gods. Then he will lift his head upwards {like a roaring lion}.
22 And when the captives turn their faces to the ground, there is only a depressing darkness closing in—the dark sadness of people forced to leave their country. And those who are trapped in that darkness will not be able to free themselves.
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.