« | Joshua 23 | » |
1 The Lord gave Israel peace from their enemies around them. The Lord made Israel safe. Many years passed, and Joshua became very old.
2 At this time Joshua called a meeting of all the older leaders, heads of families, judges, and officers of the Israelites. Joshua said, "I have grown very old.
3 You have seen what the Lord did to our enemies. He did this to help us. The Lord your God fought for you.
4 Remember that I told you that your people could have the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea in the west. I promised to give you that land, but you don't control it yet. I have taken the land away from those nations, but they are still living there.
5 But the Lord your God will force the people living there to leave. You will take that land. The Lord will force them to leave. The Lord your God promised to do this for you.
6 "You must be careful to obey everything the Lord has commanded us. Obey everything that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses. Don't turn away from that law.
7 There are still some people living among us who are not Israelites. They worship their own gods. Don't become friends with them. Don't serve or worship their gods.
8 You must continue to follow the Lord your God. You have done this in the past, and you must continue to do it.
9 "The Lord helped you defeat many great and powerful nations. He forced them to leave. No nation has been able to defeat you.
10 With his help, one man from Israel could defeat 1000 enemy soldiers, because the Lord your God fights for you, as he promised.
11 So you must continue to love the Lord your God.
12 "Don't stop following the Lord. Don't become friends with these other people who are not part of Israel. Don't marry any of their people. But if you do become friends with these people,
13 then the Lord your God will not help you defeat your enemies. They will become like a trap for you. They will cause you pain—like smoke and dust in your eyes. And you will be forced to leave this good land. The Lord your God gave you this land. But you can lose it if you don't obey this command.
14 "It is almost time for me to die. You know and really believe that the Lord has done many great things for you. You know that the Lord your God has not failed in any of his promises. He has kept every promise that he has made to us.
15 Every good promise that the Lord your God made to us has come true. But in the same way, the Lord will make his other promises come true. He promised that if you do wrong, bad things will happen to you. He promised that he will force you to leave this good land that the Lord your God has given to you.
16 This will happen if you refuse to keep your agreement with the Lord your God. You will lose this land if you go and serve other gods. You must not worship those other gods. If you do, the Lord will become very angry with you. Then you will quickly be forced to leave this good land that he gave you."
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.