« | Job 38 | » |
1 Then the Lord spoke to Job from a whirlwind and said,
2 "Who is this ignorant person saying these foolish things?"
3 Brace yourself and get ready to answer the questions I will ask you.
4 "Where were you when I made the earth? If you are so smart, answer me.
5 And who decided how big the earth should be? Who measured it with a measuring line?
6 What is the earth resting on? Who put the first stone in its place
7 when the morning stars sang together and the angels shouted with joy?
8 "Who closed the flood gates as the sea gushed from the womb?
9 Who covered it with clouds and wrapped it in darkness?
10 I set the limits for the sea and put it behind locked gates.
11 I said to the sea, 'You can come this far, but no farther. This is where your proud waves will stop.'
12 "Did you ever in your life command the morning to begin or the day to dawn?
13 Did you ever tell the morning light to grab the earth and shake those who are evil out of their hiding places?
14 The morning light makes the hills and valleys easy to see. When the daylight comes to the earth, the shapes of these places stand out like the folds of a coat. They take shape like soft clay that is pressed with a stamp.
15 Evil people don't like the daylight. When it shines bright, it keeps them from doing the bad things they do.
16 "Have you ever gone to the deepest parts of the sea? Have you ever walked on the ocean bottom?
17 Has anyone shown you the gates to the world of the dead? Have you ever seen those gates that lead to the dark place of death?
18 Do you really understand how big the earth is? Tell me, if you know all this.
19 "Where does light come from? Where does darkness come from?
20 Can you take them back to where they belong? Do you know how to get there?
21 Surely you know these things, since you are so old and wise. You were alive when I made them, weren't you?
22 "Have you ever gone into the storerooms where I keep the snow and the hail?
23 I save them there for times of trouble, for the times of war and battle.
24 Have you ever gone to the place where the sun comes up, where it makes the east wind blow all over the earth?
25 Who dug ditches in the sky for the heavy rain? Who made a path for the thunderstorm?
26 Who makes it rain even in desert places where no one lives?
27 The rain gives that dry empty land all the water it needs, and grass begins to grow.
28 Does the rain have a father? Who produces the drops of dew?
29 Does ice have a mother? Who gives birth to the frost?
30 That's when the water freezes as hard as a rock. Even the deep sea freezes over!
31 "Can you tie up the Pleiades? Can you unfasten the belt of Orion?
32 Can you bring out the constellations at the right times? Or can you lead out the Bear with its cubs?
33 Do you know the laws that control the sky? Can you put each star in its place above the earth?
34 "Can you shout at the clouds and command them to cover you with rain?
35 Can you give a command to the lightning? Will it come to you and say, 'Here we are. What do you want, sir?' Will it go wherever you want it to go?
36 "Who makes people wise? Who puts wisdom deep inside them?
37 Who is wise enough to count the clouds and tip them over to pour out their rain?
38 The rain makes the dust become mud, and the clumps of dirt stick together.
39 "Do you find food for the lions? Do you feed their hungry babies?
40 No, they hide in their caves or wait in the grass, ready to attack their prey.
41 Who feeds the ravens when their babies cry out to God and wander around without food?
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.