« | Job 37 | » |
1 "The thunder and lightning frighten me; my heart pounds in my chest.
2 Listen to God's thundering voice! Listen to the sound coming from his mouth.
3 He sends his lightning to flash across the whole sky. It lights up the earth from one end to the other.
4 After the flashes of lightning you can hear his roaring voice. He thunders with his wonderful voice! And while his voice thunders, the lightning flashes continue.
5 God's thundering voice is amazing! He does great things that we cannot understand.
6 He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth.' And he says to the rain, 'Pour down on the earth.'
7 God does this to stop everyone's work and to show the people he made what he can do.
8 The animals run into their dens and stay there.
9 Whirlwinds come from the south. The cold winds come from the north.
10 God's breath makes ice and freezes even large bodies of water.
11 He fills the clouds with water and scatters his lightning through them.
12 He orders the clouds to be blown all around the earth. The clouds do whatever he commands.
13 He causes the clouds to punish people with floods or to water his earth and show his love.
14 "Job, stop for a minute and listen. Think about the wonderful things God does.
15 Do you know how God controls the clouds? Do you know how he makes his lightning flash?
16 Do you know how the clouds hang in the sky? This is just one of the amazing works of the one who knows everything.
17 All you know is that you sweat, your clothes stick to you, and all is still and quiet when the heat wave comes from the south.
18 Can you help God spread out the sky and make it shine like polished brass?
19 "Job, tell us what we should say to God! We cannot think of what to say because of our ignorance.
20 I would not tell God that I wanted to talk to him. That would be like asking to be destroyed.
21 A person cannot look at the sun. It is too bright as it shines in the sky after the wind blows the clouds away.
22 In the same way God's golden glory shines from the Holy Mountain. He is surrounded by the brightest light.
23 We have seen that God All-Powerful really is all powerful! But he is just and never treats anyone unfairly.
24 That is why people fear and respect him. He shows no respect for those who think they are wise."
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.