« | Leviticus 24 | » |
1 The Lord said to Moses,
2 "Command the Israelites to bring to you pure oil from crushed olives. That oil is for the lamps that must burn without stopping.
3 Aaron will keep the light burning in the Meeting Tent before the Lord from evening until morning. This light will be outside the curtain that hangs in front of the Box that holds the Agreement. This law will continue forever.
4 Aaron must always keep the lamps burning on the lampstand of pure gold before the Lord.
5 "Take fine flour and bake twelve loaves with it. Use 16 cups of flour for each loaf.
6 Put them in two rows on the golden table before the Lord. Six loaves will be in each row.
7 Put pure frankincense on each row. This will help the Lord remember the gift.
8 Every Sabbath day Aaron will put the bread in order before the Lord. This must be done forever. This agreement with the Israelites will continue forever.
9 That bread will belong to Aaron and his sons. They will eat the bread in a holy place, because that bread is one of the special gifts to the Lord. It is Aaron's share forever."
10 There was a son of an Israelite woman and an Egyptian father. He was walking among the Israelites, and he started fighting in camp.
11 The Israelite woman's son began cursing and saying bad things about the Lord's name, so the people brought him to Moses. (The name of the man's mother was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, from the tribe of Dan.)
12 The people held him as a prisoner and waited for the Lord's command to be made clear to them.
13 Then the Lord said to Moses,
14 "Bring the man who cursed to a place outside the camp. Then bring together everyone who heard him curse. They will put their hands on his head. And then all the people must throw stones at him and kill him.
15 You must tell the Israelites: Anyone who curses their God must be punished.
16 Anyone who speaks against the name of the Lord must be put to death. All the people must stone him. Foreigners must be punished just as the person who was born in Israel. Anyone who curses the Lord's name must be put to death.
17 "And whoever kills another person must be put to death.
18 Whoever kills an animal that belongs to another person must give another animal to take its place.
19 "And whoever causes an injury to their neighbor must be given the same kind of injury:
20 A broken bone for a broken bone, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. The same kind of injury a person gives another person must be given that person.
21 Whoever kills an animal must pay for the animal. But whoever kills another person must be put to death.
22 "The law will be the same for foreigners and for people from your own country. This is because I am the Lord your God."
23 Then Moses spoke to the Israelites, and they took the man who cursed to a place outside the camp. Then they killed him with stones. So the Israelites did just what the Lord had commanded Moses.
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.