« | Job 24 | » |
1 "Why doesn't God All-Powerful set times for judgment? And why can't his followers know when those times will be?
2 "People move property markers to get more of their neighbor's land. People steal flocks and lead them to other grasslands.
3 They steal a donkey that belongs to an orphan. They take a widow's cow until she pays what she owes them.
4 They force the poor to move out of their way and get off the road.
5 "The poor are like wild donkeys that go out to the desert to find food. From morning to night they work to gather food for their children.
6 They have to work in the fields, harvesting grain. They work for the rich, gathering grapes in their vineyards.
7 They must sleep all night without clothes. They have no covers to protect them from the cold.
8 They are soaked with rain in the mountains. They stay close to the large rocks for shelter.
9 They take a nursing baby from its mother. They take a poor person's child to guarantee a loan.
10 They have no clothes, so they work naked. They carry piles of grain for others, but they go hungry.
11 They press out olive oil and walk on grapes in the winepress, but they have nothing to drink.
12 In the city you can hear the sad sounds of dying people. Those who are hurt cry out for help, but God does not listen.
13 "Some people rebel against the light. They don't know what God wants. They don't live the way he wants.
14 A murderer gets up at dawn and kills poor, helpless people. And at night he becomes a thief.
15 A man who commits adultery waits for the night to come. He thinks, 'No one will see me,' but still, he covers his face.
16 When it is dark, evil people go out and break into houses. But during the day they lock themselves in their homes to avoid the light.
17 The darkest night is their morning. They are friends with the terrors of darkness.
18 "{You say,} 'Evil people are taken away like things carried away in a flood. The land they own is cursed, so no one goes to work in their vineyards.
19 As hot, dry weather melts away the winter snows, so the grave takes away those who have sinned.
20 Their own mothers will forget them. Only the worms will want them. No one will remember them. They will be broken like a rotten stick!
21 These evil people hurt women who have no children to protect them, and they refuse to help widows.
22 By his power God removes the powerful. Even if they have a high position, they cannot be sure of their lives.
23 They might feel safe and secure, but God is watching how they live.
24 They might be successful for a while, but then they will be gone. Like everyone else, they will be cut down like grain.'
25 "I swear these things are true! Who can prove that I lied? Who can show that I am wrong?"
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.