« | Matthew 4 | » |
1 Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert. He was taken there to be tempted by the devil.
2 Jesus ate nothing for 40 days and nights. After this, he was very hungry.
3 The devil came to tempt him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these rocks to become bread."
4 Jesus answered him, "The Scriptures say, 'It is not just bread that keeps people alive. Their lives depend on what God says.'"
5 Then the devil led Jesus to the holy city of Jerusalem and put him on a high place at the edge of the Temple area.
6 He said to Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, jump off, because the Scriptures say, 'God will command his angels to help you, and their hands will catch you, so that you will not hit your foot on a rock.'"
7 Jesus answered, "The Scriptures also say, 'You must not test the Lord your God.'"
8 Then the devil led Jesus to the top of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and all the wonderful things in them.
9 The devil said, "If you will bow down and worship me, I will give you all these things."
10 Jesus said to him, "Get away from me, Satan! The Scriptures say, 'You must worship the Lord your God. Serve only him!'"
11 So the devil left him. Then some angels came to Jesus and helped him.
12 Jesus heard that John was put in prison, so he went back to Galilee.
13 But he did not stay in Nazareth. He went to live in Capernaum, a town near Lake Galilee in the area near Zebulun and Naphtali.
14 He did this to give full meaning to what the prophet Isaiah said,
15 "Listen, land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, lands by the road that goes to the sea, the area past the Jordan River— Galilee, where those from other nations live.
16 The people who live in spiritual darkness have seen a great light. The light has shined for those who live in the land that is as dark as a grave."
17 From that time Jesus began to tell people his message: "Change your hearts and lives, because God's kingdom is coming soon."
18 As Jesus was walking by Lake Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and Simon's brother Andrew. These brothers were fishermen, and they were fishing in the lake with a net.
19 Jesus said to them, "Come, follow me, and I will make you a different kind of fishermen. You will bring in people, not fish."
20 Simon and Andrew immediately left their nets and followed him.
21 Jesus continued walking by Lake Galilee. He saw two other brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee. They were preparing their nets to catch fish. Jesus told the brothers to come with him.
22 So they immediately left the boat and their father, and they followed Jesus.
23 Jesus went everywhere in the country of Galilee. He taught in the synagogues and told the Good News about God's kingdom. And he healed all the people's diseases and sicknesses.
24 The news about Jesus spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all those who were sick. They were suffering from different kinds of diseases and pain. Some had demons inside them, some suffered from seizures, and some were paralyzed. Jesus healed them all.
25 Large crowds followed him— people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, Judea, and the area across the Jordan River.
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.