Joshua 1 | » |
1 Moses was the Lord's servant, and Joshua son of Nun was Moses' helper. After Moses died, the Lord spoke to Joshua and said,
2 "My servant Moses is dead. Now you and all these people must go across the Jordan River. You must go into the land I am giving to the Israelites.
3 I promised Moses that I would give you this land, so I will give you all the land wherever you go.
4 All the land from the desert to Lebanon all the way to the great river (that is, the Euphrates River) and all the land of the Hittites will be yours. And all the land from here to the Mediterranean Sea in the west (that is, the place where the sun sets) will be within your borders.
5 Just as I was with Moses, I will be with you. No one will be able to stop you all your life. I will not abandon you. I will never leave you.
6 "Joshua, you must be strong and brave! You must lead these people so that they can take their land. I promised their fathers that I would give them this land.
7 But you must be strong and brave about obeying the commands my servant Moses gave you. If you follow his teachings exactly, you will be successful in everything you do.
8 Always remember what is written in that book of law. Speak about that book and study it day and night. Then you can be sure to obey what is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything you do.
9 Remember, I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don't be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
10 So Joshua gave orders to the leaders of the people:
11 "Go through the camp and tell the people, 'Get some food ready. Three days from now we will go across the Jordan River and take the land that the Lord our God is giving us.'"
12 Then Joshua said to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh,
13 "Remember what the Lord's servant Moses told you. He said the Lord your God would give you a place to rest. He will give you that land!
14 In fact, the Lord has already given you this land east of the Jordan River. Your wives and children can stay in this land with your animals. But your fighting men must cross the Jordan River with your brothers. You must be ready for war and to help them take their land.
15 The Lord gave you a place to rest, and he will do the same for your brothers. But you must help them until they get the land the Lord their God is giving them. Then you can come back to your own land, the land east of the Jordan River. The Lord's servant Moses gave you that land."
16 Then the people answered Joshua, "We will do whatever you command us to do. We will go wherever you tell us to go.
17 We will obey whatever you say, just as we obeyed Moses. We only ask that the Lord your God be with you just as he was with Moses.
18 Then anyone who refuses to obey your commands or turns against you will be killed. Just be strong and brave!"
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.