« | Matthew 28 |
1 The day after the Sabbath day was the first day of the week. That day at dawn Mary Magdalene and the other woman named Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 Suddenly an angel of the Lord came from the sky, and there was a huge earthquake. The angel went to the tomb and rolled the stone away from the entrance. Then he sat on top of the stone.
3 The angel was shining as bright as lightning. His clothes were as white as snow.
4 The soldiers guarding the tomb were very afraid of the angel. They shook with fear and then became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, "Don't be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, the one who was killed on the cross.
6 But he is not here. He has risen from death, as he said he would. Come and see the place where his body was.
7 And go quickly and tell his followers, 'Jesus has risen from death. He is going into Galilee and will be there before you. You will see him there.'" Then the angel said, "Now I have told you."
8 So the women left the tomb quickly. They were afraid, but they were also very happy. They ran to tell his followers what happened.
9 Suddenly, Jesus was there in front of them. He said, "Hello!" The women went to him and, holding on to his feet, worshiped him.
10 Then Jesus said to them, "Don't be afraid. Go tell my followers to go to Galilee. They will see me there."
11 The women went to tell the followers. At the same time, some of the soldiers who were guarding the tomb went into the city. They went to tell the leading priests everything that happened.
12 Then the priests met with the older Jewish leaders and made a plan. They paid the soldiers a lot of money
13 and said to them, "Tell the people that Jesus' followers came during the night and stole the body while you were sleeping.
14 If the governor hears about this, we will talk to him and keep you out of trouble."
15 So the soldiers kept the money and obeyed the priests. And that story is still spread among the Jews even today.
16 The eleven followers went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus told them to go.
17 On the mountain the followers saw Jesus. They worshiped him. But some of the followers did not believe that it was really Jesus.
18 So he came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me.
19 So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
20 Teach them to obey everything that I have told you to do. You can be sure that I will be with you always. I will continue with you until the end of time."
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.