« | Jeremiah 8 | » |
1 This message is from the Lord: "At that time men will take the bones of the kings and important rulers of Judah from their tombs. They will take the bones of the priests and prophets from their tombs. They will take the bones of all the people of Jerusalem from their tombs.
2 They will spread the bones on the ground under the sun, the moon, and the stars. The people of Jerusalem love to worship the sun, the moon, and the stars. No one will gather the bones and bury them again. So the bones of those people will be like dung thrown on the ground.
3 "I will force the people of Judah to leave their homes and their land. They will be taken away to foreign lands. Some of the people of Judah who were not killed in the war will wish that they had been killed." This message is from the Lord.
4 "Jeremiah, say this to the people of Judah: 'This is what the Lord says: You know if a man falls down, he gets up again. And if a man goes the wrong way, he turns around and comes back.
5 The people of Judah went the wrong way. But why do the people of Jerusalem continue going the wrong way? They believe their own lies. They refuse to turn around and come back.
6 I have listened to them very carefully, but they don't say what is right. They are not sorry for their sins. They don't think about the evil they have done. They do things without thinking. They are like horses running into a battle.
7 Even the birds in the sky know the right time to do things. The storks, doves, swifts, and thrushes know when it is time to fly to a new home. But my people don't know what the Lord wants them to do.
8 "'You keep saying, "We have the Lord's teachings! So we are wise!" But this is not true, because the scribes have lied with their pens.
9 These "wise people" refused to listen to the Lord's teachings. So they are not really wise at all. These "wise people" were trapped. They became shocked and ashamed.
10 So I will give their wives to other men. I will give their fields to new owners. All the people of Israel want more and more money. All of them, from the least important to the most important, are like that. Even the prophets and priests tell lies.
11 They should bandage the deep wounds my people have suffered, but they treat their wounds like small scratches. They say, "It's all right, everything is all right." But it is not all right!
12 They should be ashamed of the evil things they do, but they are not ashamed at all. They don't know enough to be embarrassed by their sins. So they will be punished with everyone else. They will be thrown to the ground when I punish the people." This is what the Lord said.
13 "'I will take away their fruit and crops, so that there will be no harvest, says the Lord. There will be no grapes on the vine and no figs on the fig tree. Even the leaves will become dry and die. I will take away the things I gave them.'"
14 "They will say, 'Why are we just sitting here? Come, let's run to the strong cities. If the Lord our God is going to make us die, then let's die there. We have sinned against the Lord, so God gave us poisoned water to drink.
15 We hoped to have peace, but nothing good has come. We hoped that he would forgive us, but only disaster has come.
16 From the land of the tribe of Dan, we hear the snorting of the enemy's horses. The ground shakes from the pounding of their hooves. They have come to destroy the land and everything in it. They have come to destroy the city and all the people who live there.'"
17 "People of Judah, I am sending poisonous snakes to attack you. These snakes cannot be controlled. They will bite you." This message is from the Lord.
18 God, I am very sad and afraid.
19 Listen to my people. Everywhere in this country, people are crying for help. They say, "Is the Lord still at Zion? Is Zion's King still there?" But God says, "The people of Judah worshiped their worthless foreign idols. That made me very angry! Why did they do that?"
20 And the people say, "Harvest time is over. Summer is gone, and still we have not been saved."
21 My people are hurt, so I am hurt. I am too sad to speak.
22 Surely there is some medicine in Gilead. Surely there is a doctor in Gilead. So why are the wounds of my people not healed?
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.