« | Micah 2 | » |
1 Trouble will come to those who make plans to sin. They lie on their beds making their evil plans. Then when the morning light comes, they do what they planned, because they have the power to do what they want.
2 They want fields, so they take them. They want houses, so they take them. They cheat a man and take his house and his land.
3 That is why the Lord says: "Look, I am planning trouble against this family. You will not be able to save yourselves. You will stop being proud, because bad times are coming.
4 Then people will sing songs about you. They will sing this sad song: 'We are ruined! The Lord took away our land and gave it to other people. Yes, he took my land away from me. He has divided our fields {among our enemies}.
5 So we will not be able to measure the land and divide it among the Lord's people.'"
6 The people say, "Don't prophesy to us. Don't say those bad things about us. Nothing bad will happen to us."
7 But people of Jacob, I must say these things. The Lord is losing his patience because of the bad things you did. If you lived right, then I could say nice words to you.
8 But you attack my people like enemies. You steal the clothes off the backs of people walking by. They think they are safe, but you are there to treat them like prisoners of war.
9 You have taken nice houses away from the women of my people. You have taken my wealth away from their small children forever.
10 Get up and leave! This will not be your place of rest, because you ruined it. You made it unclean, so it will be destroyed! It will be a terrible destruction!
11 These people don't want to listen to me. But if a man comes telling lies, then they will accept him. They would accept a false prophet if he comes and says, "There will be good times in the future, with plenty of wine and beer."
12 Yes, people of Jacob, I will bring all of you together. I will bring together all those in Israel who are still living. I will put them together like sheep in the sheep pen, like a flock in its pasture. Then the place will be filled with the noise of many people.
13 Then the "Crasher" will push through and walk to the front of his people. They will break through the gates and leave that city. They will leave with their king marching before them— with the Lord at the front of his people.
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.