« | Psalm 103 | » |
1 A song of David. My soul, praise the Lord! Every part of me, praise his holy name!
2 My soul, praise the Lord and never forget how kind he is!
3 He forgives all our sins and heals all our sicknesses.
4 He saves us from the grave, and he gives us love and compassion.
5 He gives us plenty of good things. He makes us young again, like an eagle that grows new feathers.
6 The Lord does what is fair. He brings justice to all who have been hurt by others.
7 He taught his laws to Moses. He let Israel see the powerful things he can do.
8 The Lord is kind and merciful. He is patient and full of love.
9 He does not always criticize. He does not stay angry with us forever.
10 We sinned against him, but he didn't give us the punishment we deserved.
11 His love for his followers is as high above us as heaven is above the earth.
12 And he has taken our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west.
13 The Lord is as kind to his followers as a father is to his children.
14 He knows all about us. He knows we are made from dust.
15 He knows our lives are short, that they are like grass. He knows we are like a little wildflower that grows so quickly,
16 but when the hot wind blows, it dies. Soon, you cannot even see where the flower was.
17 But the Lord has always loved his followers, and he will continue to love them forever and ever! He will be good to all their descendants,
18 to those who are faithful to his agreement and who remember to obey his commands.
19 The Lord set his throne up in heaven, and he rules over everything.
20 Angels, praise the Lord! You angels are the powerful soldiers who obey his commands. You listen to him and obey his commands.
21 Praise the Lord, all his armies. You are his servants, and you do what he wants.
22 Everything the Lord has made should praise him throughout the world that he rules! My soul, praise the Lord!
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.