« | Micah 4 | » |
1 In the last days the mountain of the Lord's Temple will be on the highest of all mountains. It will be raised higher than the hills. There will be a steady stream of people going there.
2 People from many nations will go there and say, "Come, let's go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the Temple of the God of Jacob. Then God will teach us his way of living, and we will follow him." His teaching, the Lord's message, will begin in Jerusalem on Mount Zion and will go out to all the world.
3 Then God will act as judge to end arguments between people in many places. He will decide what is right for great nations far and near. They will stop using their weapons for war. They will hammer their swords into plows and use their spears to make tools for harvesting. All fighting between nations will end. They will never again train for war.
4 They will sit under their own grapevine and fig tree. No one will make them afraid. That is because the Lord All-Powerful said it would happen like that.
5 All the people from other nations follow their own gods, but we will follow the Lord our God forever and ever!
6 The Lord says, "Jerusalem was hurt and crippled. She was thrown away. She was hurt and punished, but I will bring her back to me.
7 "The people of that 'crippled' city will be the only ones left alive. They were forced to leave, but I will make them into a strong nation." The Lord will be their king. He will rule from Mount Zion forever.
8 And you, Tower of Flocks, your time will come. Ophel, hill of Zion, you will again be the seat of government. Yes, the kingdom will be in Jerusalem like it was in the past."
9 Now, why are you crying so loudly? Is your king gone? Have you lost your leader? You are suffering like a woman who is giving birth.
10 Daughter Zion, feel the pain. Give birth to your "baby." You must go out of this city. You will live in the field. That is, you will go to Babylon, but you will also be saved from that place. The Lord will go there and rescue you. He will take you away from your enemies.
11 Many nations have come to fight against you. They say, "Look, there is Zion! Let's attack her!"
12 They have their plans, but they don't know what the Lord is planning. He brought them here for a special purpose. They will be crushed like grain on a threshing floor.
13 "Daughter Zion, get up and crush them! I will make you very strong. It will be as if you have horns of iron and hooves of bronze. You will beat many people into small pieces. You will give their wealth to the Lord. You will give their treasure to the Lord of all the earth."
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.