« | Jeremiah 13 | » |
1 This is what the Lord said to me: "Jeremiah, go and buy a linen loincloth. Then put it around your waist. Don't let the loincloth get wet."
2 So I bought a linen loincloth, just as the Lord told me to do, and I put it around my waist.
3 Then the message of the Lord came to me a second time.
4 This was the message: "Jeremiah, take the loincloth you bought and are wearing, and go to Perath. Hide the loincloth there in a crack in the rocks."
5 So I went to Perath and hid the loincloth there, just as the Lord told me to do.
6 Many days later the Lord said to me, "Now, Jeremiah, go to Perath. Get the loincloth that I told you to hide there."
7 So I went to Perath and dug up the loincloth. I took it out of the crack in the rocks where I had hidden it. But now I could not wear the loincloth, because it was ruined. It was not good for anything.
8 Then the message of the Lord came to me.
9 This is what the Lord said: "The loincloth is ruined and not good for anything. In the same way I will ruin the proud people of Judah and Jerusalem.
10 I will ruin them because they refuse to listen to my messages. They are stubborn and do only what they want to do. They follow and worship other gods. They will be like this linen loincloth. They will be ruined and not good for anything.
11 A loincloth is wrapped tightly around a man's waist. In the same way I wrapped the family of Israel and the family of Judah around me." This message is from the Lord. "I did that so they would be my people and bring me fame, praise, and honor. But my people did not listen to me."
12 "Jeremiah, say to the people of Judah: 'This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Every wineskin should be filled with wine.' They will laugh and say to you, 'Of course, we know that every wineskin should be filled with wine.'
13 Then you will say to them, 'This is what the Lord says: I will make everyone who lives in this land helpless, like a drunken person. I am talking about the kings who sit on David's throne. I am also talking about the priests, the prophets, and all the people who live in Jerusalem.
14 I will make them stumble and fall against each other, even the fathers and sons.' This message is from the Lord. 'I will not feel sorry or have pity for them. I will not allow compassion to stop me from destroying the people of Judah.'"
15 Listen and pay attention. The Lord has spoken to you. Do not be proud.
16 Honor the Lord your God. Praise him or he will bring darkness. Praise him before you fall on the dark hills. You people of Judah are hoping for light, but the Lord will turn the light into thick darkness. He will change the light into a very thick darkness.
17 If you people of Judah don't listen to him, I will hide and cry. Your pride will cause me to cry. I will cry very hard. My eyes will overflow with tears, because the Lord's flock will be captured.
18 Tell these things to the king and his wife, "Come down from your thrones. Your beautiful crowns have fallen from your heads."
19 The cities in the Negev are locked. No one can open them. All the people of Judah have been taken away as captives. They were carried away as prisoners.
20 Jerusalem, look! The enemy is coming from the north! Where is your flock? God gave that beautiful flock to you.
21 What will you say when the Lord asks you to account for that flock? You were supposed to teach the people. Your leaders were supposed to lead them. So you will suffer pain and trouble, like a woman giving birth.
22 You might ask yourself, "Why has this bad thing happened to me?" It happened because of your many sins. Because of your sins, your skirt was torn off, and your sandals were taken away. They did this to embarrass you.
23 A black man cannot change the color of his skin, and a leopard cannot change his spots. In the same way, Jerusalem, you cannot change and do good. You always do bad things.
24 "I will force you to leave your homes. You will run in all directions. You will be like chaff blown away by the desert wind.
25 This is what will happen to you. This is your part in my plans." This message is from the Lord. "Why will this happen? Because you forgot me. You trusted false gods.
26 Jerusalem, I will pull your skirt up over your face. Everyone will see you, and you will be ashamed.
27 I saw the terrible things you did. I saw you laughing and having sex with your lovers. I know about your plans to be like a prostitute. I have seen you on the hills and in the fields. It will be very bad for you, Jerusalem. How long you will continue doing your dirty sins?"
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.