« | Job 3 | » |
1 Then Job opened his mouth and cursed the day he was born.
2 He said,
3 "I wish the day I was born would be lost forever. I wish the night they said, 'It's a boy!' had never happened.
4 I wish that day had remained dark. I wish God above had forgotten that day and not let any light shine on it.
5 I wish that bitter day had remained as dark as death, covered with the darkest clouds.
6 I wish the darkness had carried away that night, that it was left off the calendar and not included in any of the months.
7 I wish that night had produced nothing and no happy shouts had been heard.
8 Some magicians think they can wake Leviathan. So let them say their curses and curse the day I was born.
9 Let that day's morning star be dark. Let that night wait for a morning that never comes. I wish it had never seen the first rays of sunlight.
10 I wish it had stopped me from being born and kept me from seeing all these troubles.
11 Why didn't I die when I was born? Why didn't I die as I came from my mother's womb?
12 Why did my mother hold me on her knees? Why did her breasts feed me?
13 If I had died when I was born, I would be at peace now. I wish I were asleep and at rest
14 with the kings and their advisors who built palaces that are now in ruins.
15 I wish I were buried with rulers who filled their graves with gold and silver.
16 Why wasn't I a child who died at birth and was put in the ground? I wish I had been buried like a baby who never saw the light of day.
17 There the wicked stop causing trouble, and the weary find rest.
18 Even prisoners find relief there; they no longer hear their guards shouting at them.
19 Everyone—from the greatest to the least important—will be there, and even the slave is free from his master.
20 "Why must a suffering person continue to live? Why let anyone live such a bitter life?
21 Such people want to die, but death does not come. They search for death more than for hidden treasure.
22 They would be happy to find their grave. They would rejoice to find their tomb.
23 But God keeps their future a secret and builds a wall around them to protect them.
24 When it is time to eat, all I can do is sigh with sadness, not joy. My groans pour out like water.
25 I was afraid something terrible would happen, and what I feared most has happened.
26 I cannot calm down or relax. I am too upset to rest!"
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.