« | Luke 21 | » |
1 Jesus looked up and saw some rich people putting their gifts to God into the Temple collection box.
2 Then he saw a poor widow put two small copper coins into the box.
3 He said, "This poor widow gave only two small coins. But the truth is, she gave more than all those rich people.
4 They have plenty, and they gave only what they did not need. This woman is very poor, but she gave all she had to live on."
5 Some of the followers were talking about the Temple. They said, "This is a beautiful Temple, built with the best stones. Look at the many good gifts that have been offered to God."
6 But Jesus said, "The time will come when all that you see here will be destroyed. Every stone of these buildings will be thrown down to the ground. Not one stone will be left on another."
7 Some followers asked Jesus, "Teacher, when will these things happen? What will show us that it is time for these things to happen?"
8 Jesus said, "Be careful! Don't be fooled. Many people will come using my name. They will say, 'I am the Christ ' and 'The right time has come!' But don't follow them.
9 When you hear about wars and riots, don't be afraid. These things must happen first. Then the end will come later."
10 Then Jesus said to them, "Nations will fight against other nations. Kingdoms will fight against other kingdoms.
11 There will be great earthquakes, sicknesses, and other bad things in many places. In some places there will be no food for the people to eat. Terrible things will happen, and amazing things will come from heaven to warn people.
12 "But before all these things happen, people will arrest you and do bad things to you. They will judge you in their synagogues and put you in jail. You will be forced to stand before kings and governors. They will do all these things to you because you follow me.
13 But this will give you an opportunity to tell about me.
14 Decide now not to worry about what you will say.
15 I will give you the wisdom to say things that none of your enemies can answer.
16 Even your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends will turn against you. They will have some of you killed.
17 Everyone will hate you because you follow me.
18 But none of these things can really harm you.
19 You will save yourselves by continuing strong in your faith through all these things.
20 "You will see armies all around Jerusalem. Then you will know that the time for its destruction has come.
21 The people in Judea at that time should run away to the mountains. The people in Jerusalem must leave quickly. If you are near the city, don't go in!
22 The prophets wrote many things about the time when God will punish his people. The time I am talking about is when all these things must happen.
23 During that time, it will be hard for women who are pregnant or have small babies, because very bad times will come to this land. God will be angry with these people.
24 Some of the people will be killed by soldiers. Others will be made prisoners and taken to all the different countries. The holy city of Jerusalem will be under the control of foreigners until their time is completed.
25 "Amazing things will happen to the sun, moon, and stars. And people all over the earth will be upset and confused by the noise of the sea and its crashing waves.
26 They will be afraid and worried about what will happen to the world. Everything in the sky will be changed.
27 Then people will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 When these things begin to happen, stand up tall and don't be afraid. Know that it is almost time for God to free you!"
29 Then Jesus told this story: "Look at all the trees. The fig tree is a good example.
30 When it turns green, you know that summer is near.
31 In the same way, when you see all these things happening, you will know that God's kingdom is coming very soon.
32 "I assure you that all these things will happen while some of the people of this time are still living.
33 The whole world, earth and sky, will be destroyed, but my words will last forever.
34 "Be careful not to spend your time having parties and getting drunk or worrying about this life. If you do that, you won't be able to think straight, and the end might come when you are not ready.
35 It will come as a surprise to everyone on earth.
36 So be ready all the time. Pray that you will be able to get through all these things that will happen and stand safe before the Son of Man. "
37 During the day Jesus taught the people in the Temple area. At night he went out of the city and stayed all night on the Mount of Olives.
38 Every morning all the people got up early to go listen to Jesus at the Temple.
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.