« | Numbers 12 | » |
1 Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses. They criticized him because he married an Ethiopian woman.
2 They said to themselves, "The Lord used Moses to speak to the people, but he is not the only one. The Lord also spoke through us!" The Lord heard this.
3 (Moses was a very humble man. He was more humble than any other man on earth.)
4 So suddenly, the Lord came and spoke to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. He said, "You three, come to the Meeting Tent, now!" So Moses, Aaron, and Miriam went to the Tent.
5 The Lord came down in the tall cloud and stood at the entrance to the Tent. He called out, "Aaron and Miriam!" They went to him.
6 God said, "Listen to me! You will have prophets. I, the Lord, will let them learn about me through visions. I will speak to them in dreams.
7 But Moses is not like that. He is my faithful servant—I trust him with everyone in my house.
8 When I speak to him, I talk face to face with him. I don't use stories with hidden meanings—I show him clearly what I want him to know. And Moses can look at the very image of the Lord. So why were you brave enough to speak against my servant Moses?"
9 The Lord was very angry with them, and he left them.
10 The cloud rose from the Tent. Aaron turned and looked at Miriam. Her skin was white like snow— she had a terrible skin disease!
11 Then Aaron said to Moses, "Please, sir, forgive us for the foolish sin that we did.
12 Don't let her lose her skin like a baby who is born dead." (Sometimes a baby will be born like that, with half of its skin eaten away.)
13 So Moses prayed to the Lord, "God, please heal her from this sickness!"
14 The Lord answered Moses, "If her father spit in her face, she would be shamed for seven days. So put her outside the camp for seven days. After that she can come back into the camp."
15 So they took Miriam outside the camp for seven days. And the people did not move from that place until she was brought in again.
16 After that, the people left Hazeroth and traveled to the desert of Paran where they set up camp.
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.