« | Psalm 103 | » |
1 Of David. Give praise to the Lord, O my soul; let everything in me give praise to his holy name.
2 Give praise to the Lord, O my soul; let not all his blessings go from your memory.
3 He has forgiveness for all your sins; he takes away all your diseases;
4 He keeps back your life from destruction, crowning you with mercy and grace.
5 He makes your mouth full of good things, so that your strength is made new again like the eagle's.
6 The Lord gives decisions in righteousness for all who are in trouble.
7 He gave knowledge of his way to Moses, and made his acts clear to the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is kind and full of pity, not quickly made angry, but ever ready to have mercy.
9 His feeling will no longer be bitter; he will not keep his wrath for ever.
10 He has not given us the punishment for our sins, or the reward of our wrongdoing.
11 For as the heaven is high over the earth, so great is his mercy to his worshippers.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our sins from us.
13 As a father has pity on his children, so the Lord has pity on his worshippers.
14 For he has knowledge of our feeble frame; he sees that we are only dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass: his beautiful growth is like the flower of the field.
16 The wind goes over it and it is gone; and its place sees it no longer.
17 But the mercy of the Lord is eternal for his worshippers, and their children's children will see his righteousness;
18 If they keep his agreement, and have his laws in mind to do them.
19 The Lord has made ready his high seat in the heavens; his kingdom is ruling over all.
20 Give praise to the Lord, you his angels, who are great in strength, doing his orders, and waiting for his voice.
21 Give praise to the Lord, all you his armies; and you his servants who do his pleasure.
22 Give praise to the Lord, all his works, in all places under his rule: give praise to the Lord, O my soul.
The Bible in Basic English (BBE)
The Bible in Basic English (BBE) is a translation of the Bible that aims to make the scriptures accessible to people with limited English proficiency. Completed in 1941 by Professor Samuel Henry Hooke and a team of scholars, the BBE utilizes a simplified vocabulary of approximately 1,000 basic English words, along with additional words necessary to maintain the integrity of the biblical text. This approach ensures that the translation is easily understandable while still conveying the core messages and teachings of the Bible.
One of the defining features of the BBE is its commitment to simplicity and clarity. By using a restricted vocabulary and straightforward sentence structures, the BBE makes it easier for readers to grasp the fundamental ideas of the scriptures without being hindered by complex language. This makes the BBE particularly valuable for non-native English speakers, children, and individuals with limited literacy skills. The translation aims to break down language barriers, allowing a broader audience to engage with Bible teachings.
Despite its simplified language, the BBE strives to remain faithful to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. The translators worked carefully to ensure that the essential meanings and theological concepts were preserved, even as they adapted the language to be more accessible. This balance of simplicity and fidelity to the original texts helps maintain the Bible’ s depth and spiritual richness while making it more approachable. The BBE’ s emphasis on clarity without sacrificing essential meaning has made it a useful tool for teaching and evangelism.
However, the BBE has faced some criticism, particularly from scholars and theologians who argue that the simplification process may lead to the loss of some nuances and deeper meanings present in the original languages. Some feel that the restricted vocabulary can oversimplify complex theological concepts, potentially limiting the reader’ s understanding of the full depth of the scriptures. Despite these criticisms, the Bible in Basic English remains a valuable resource for those seeking an easily understandable version of the Bible, providing a bridge for many to access the timeless messages contained within the holy scriptures.