« | Job 21 | » |
1 Then Job answered:
2 "Listen to what I say. Let this be your way of comforting me.
3 Be patient while I speak. Then after I have finished speaking, you may make fun of me.
4 "My complaint is not against people. There is a good reason why I am not patient.
5 Look at me and be shocked. Put your hand over your mouth, and stare at me in shock!
6 When I think about what happened to me, I feel afraid and my body shakes!
7 Why do evil people live long lives? Why do they grow old and successful?
8 They watch their children grow up and live to see their grandchildren.
9 Their homes are safe and free from fear. God does not punish them.
10 Their bulls never fail to mate. Their cows have healthy calves.
11 They send their children out to play like lambs. Their children dance around.
12 They sing and dance to the sound of harps and flutes.
13 Evil people enjoy success during their lives and then go to the grave without suffering.
14 They say to God, 'Leave us alone! We don't care what you want us to do!'
15 And they say, 'Who is God All-Powerful? We don't need to serve him! It will not help to pray to him!'
16 "Of course, evil people don't make their own success. I would never follow their advice.
17 But how often does God blow out their light? How often does trouble come to them? How often does God get angry with them and punish them?
18 Does God blow them away, like the wind blows straw or like strong winds blow the grain husks?
19 But you say, 'God is saving their punishment for their children.' No! Let God punish the evil people themselves so that they will know what they have done!
20 Let them see their own punishment. Let them feel the anger of God All-Powerful.
21 When their life is finished and they are dead, they will not care about the family they leave behind.
22 "No one can teach God anything he doesn't already know. God judges even those in high places.
23 One person dies after living a full and successful life, a life completely safe and comfortable,
24 with a body that was well fed and bones that were still strong.
25 But another person dies after a hard life that has made them bitter, never having enjoyed anything good.
26 In the end, both of these people will lie together in the dirt. The worms will cover them both.
27 "But I know what you are thinking, and I know you want to hurt me.
28 You might say: 'Show me a good man's house. Now, show me where evil people live.'
29 "Surely you have talked with travelers. Surely you will accept their stories.
30 Evil people are spared when disaster comes. They survive when God shows his anger.
31 No one criticizes them to their faces for how they lived. No one punishes them for the evil they have done.
32 When they are carried to the grave, they will have someone to watch over the place they are buried.
33 So even the soil in the valley will be pleasant for them, and thousands of people will join their funeral procession.
34 "So your empty words are no comfort to me. There is no truth at all in your answers!"
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.