« | Job 4 | » |
1 Eliphaz from Teman answered:
2 "I must say something. Would it upset you if I speak?
3 Job, you have taught many people. You encouraged those who were ready to quit.
4 Your words helped those who were ready to fall. You gave strength to those who could not stand by themselves.
5 But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged. Trouble hits you, and you are upset.
6 You worship God. You trust him. You are a good man, so let that be your hope.
7 Can you think of any innocent person who was ever destroyed? Do you know of any place where good people are punished?
8 Yes, I have seen people whose lives were cut short, but they were evil troublemakers.
9 They lost the breath God gave them. They were cut off from his breath of life.
10 They were like roaring lions, like growling lions with broken teeth—
11 like a lioness that cannot find prey. They died, and their cubs starved to death.
12 "I happened to hear a message. My ears caught a whisper of it.
13 Like a bad dream in the night, it ruined my sleep.
14 It frightened me, and I trembled down to my bones.
15 A spirit passed by my face. The hair on my body stood up!
16 The spirit stood still, but I could not see what it was. A shape stood before my eyes, and there was silence. Then I heard a quiet voice:
17 'A person cannot be more right than God. People cannot be more pure than their Maker.
18 Look, God cannot even trust his heavenly servants. He sees faults even in his angels.
19 So surely people are worse! They live in houses of clay built on dust. They can be crushed as easily as a moth!
20 From dawn to sunset people are destroyed. They die—gone forever—and no one even notices.
21 The ropes of their tent are pulled up, and they die before gaining wisdom.'
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.