« | Job 28 | » |
1 "There are mines where people get silver and places where people melt gold to make it pure.
2 Iron is dug out of the ground, and copper is melted out of the rocks.
3 Miners carry lights deep into caves to search for these rocks in the deepest darkness.
4 Far from where people live, they dig deep into the ground, down where no one else has been before. There they work all alone, hanging from ropes.
5 Food grows on the ground above. But underground it is different, as if everything were melted by fire.
6 In the rocks there are sapphires and grains of pure gold.
7 Wild birds know nothing about the way to these places. No falcon has ever seen it.
8 Wild animals have never been there. Lions have not traveled that way.
9 Miners dig the hardest rocks. They dig away at the mountains and make them bare.
10 They cut tunnels through the rocks and see all the treasures they hold.
11 They even find places where rivers begin. They bring to light what once was hidden.
12 "But where can anyone find wisdom? Where can we get understanding?
13 People don't know where wisdom is. It cannot be found by anyone on earth.
14 The deep ocean says, 'It's not here with me.' The sea says, 'It's not here with me.'
15 You cannot buy wisdom with even the purest gold. There's not enough silver in the world to pay for it.
16 You cannot buy it with gold from Ophir or with precious onyx or sapphires.
17 Wisdom is worth more than gold or crystal. It cannot be bought with expensive jewels set in gold.
18 It is far more valuable than coral and jasper, more precious than rubies.
19 The topaz from Ethiopia cannot match its value, which is greater than the purest gold.
20 "So where does wisdom come from? Where can we find understanding?
21 Wisdom is hidden from every living thing on earth. Even birds in the sky cannot see it.
22 Death and destruction say, 'We have never seen wisdom; we have only heard rumors about it.'
23 "Only God knows the way to wisdom. Only he knows where wisdom is.
24 He can see to the very ends of the earth. He sees everything under the sky.
25 God gave the wind its power. He decided how big to make the oceans.
26 He decided where to send the rain and where the thunderstorms should go.
27 He looked at wisdom and discussed it. He examined it and saw how much it is worth.
28 Then he said to humans, 'To fear and respect the Lord is wisdom. To turn away from evil is understanding.'"
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.