« | Job 35 | » |
1 Elihu continued talking and said,
2 "Job, it is not fair for you to say, 'I am more right than God,'
3 because you also ask him, 'What's the use of trying to please you? What good will it do me if I don't sin?'
4 "Job, I want to answer you and your friends here with you.
5 Look up at the sky. Look up at the clouds, which are so much higher than you.
6 If you sin, it does not hurt God. Even if your sins are too many to count, that does nothing to God.
7 And if you are good, that does not help God. He gets nothing from you.
8 Job, the good and bad things you do affect only other people like yourself.
9 "If people are being hurt, they cry out and beg for protection from those who hurt them.
10 But they forget to say, 'Where is God, the one who made me? He is the one who gives us songs to sing in the night.
11 He is the one who makes us smarter than any animal on earth and wiser than any bird.'
12 "Or if evil people ask God for help, he will not answer them, because they are too proud.
13 God will not listen to their worthless begging. God All-Powerful will not pay attention to them.
14 So, Job, God will not listen to you when you say that you don't see him. You say you are waiting for your chance to meet with him and prove that you are innocent.
15 "Job thinks that God does not punish evil and that he pays no attention to sin.
16 So he continues his worthless talking. Everything he has said shows he does not know what he is talking about."
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.