« | Job 35 | » |
1 And Elihu made answer and said,
2 Does it seem to you to be right, and righteousness before God, to say,
3 What profit is it to me, and how am I better off than if I had done wrong?
4 I will make answer to you and to your friends:
5 Let your eyes be turned to the heavens, and lifted up to see the skies; they are higher than you.
6 If you have done wrong, is he any the worse for it? and if your sins are great in number, what is it to him?
7 If you are upright, what do you give to him? or what does he take from your hand?
8 Your evil-doing may have an effect on a man like yourself, or your righteousness on a son of man.
9 Because the hand of the cruel is hard on them, men are making sounds of grief; they are crying out for help because of the arm of the strong.
10 But no one has said, Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night;
11 Who gives us more knowledge than the beasts of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the heaven?
12 There they are crying out because of the pride of the evil-doers, but he gives them no answer.
13 But God will not give ear to what is false, or the Ruler of all take note of it;
14 How much less when you say that you do not see him; that the cause is before him, and you are waiting for him.
15 And now ... ;
16 And Job's mouth is open wide to give out what is of no profit, increasing words without knowledge.
The Bible in Basic English (BBE)
The Bible in Basic English (BBE) is a translation of the Bible that aims to make the scriptures accessible to people with limited English proficiency. Completed in 1941 by Professor Samuel Henry Hooke and a team of scholars, the BBE utilizes a simplified vocabulary of approximately 1,000 basic English words, along with additional words necessary to maintain the integrity of the biblical text. This approach ensures that the translation is easily understandable while still conveying the core messages and teachings of the Bible.
One of the defining features of the BBE is its commitment to simplicity and clarity. By using a restricted vocabulary and straightforward sentence structures, the BBE makes it easier for readers to grasp the fundamental ideas of the scriptures without being hindered by complex language. This makes the BBE particularly valuable for non-native English speakers, children, and individuals with limited literacy skills. The translation aims to break down language barriers, allowing a broader audience to engage with Bible teachings.
Despite its simplified language, the BBE strives to remain faithful to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. The translators worked carefully to ensure that the essential meanings and theological concepts were preserved, even as they adapted the language to be more accessible. This balance of simplicity and fidelity to the original texts helps maintain the Bible’ s depth and spiritual richness while making it more approachable. The BBE’ s emphasis on clarity without sacrificing essential meaning has made it a useful tool for teaching and evangelism.
However, the BBE has faced some criticism, particularly from scholars and theologians who argue that the simplification process may lead to the loss of some nuances and deeper meanings present in the original languages. Some feel that the restricted vocabulary can oversimplify complex theological concepts, potentially limiting the reader’ s understanding of the full depth of the scriptures. Despite these criticisms, the Bible in Basic English remains a valuable resource for those seeking an easily understandable version of the Bible, providing a bridge for many to access the timeless messages contained within the holy scriptures.