« | Psalm 105 | » |
1 Give thanks to the Lord and call out to him! Tell the nations what he has done!
2 Sing to the Lord; sing praises to him. Tell about the amazing things he has done.
3 Be proud of his holy name. You followers of the Lord, be happy!
4 Depend on the Lord for strength. Always go to him for help.
5 Remember the amazing things he has done. Remember his miracles and his fair decisions.
6 You belong to the family of his servant Abraham. You are descendants of Jacob, the people God chose.
7 The Lord is our God. He rules the whole world.
8 He will remember his agreement forever. He will always keep the promises he made to his people.
9 He will keep the agreement he made with Abraham and the promise he made to Isaac.
10 He gave it as a law to Jacob. He gave it to Israel as an agreement that will last forever!
11 He said, "I will give you the land of Canaan. It will be your very own."
12 At the time God said this, there were only a few of his people, and they were strangers there.
13 They traveled around from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another.
14 But the Lord did not let anyone mistreat them. He warned kings not to harm them.
15 He said, "Don't hurt my chosen people. Don't harm my prophets. "
16 He caused a famine in that country, and people did not have enough food.
17 But he sent a man named Joseph to go ahead of them. Joseph was sold like a slave.
18 They tied a rope around his feet and put an iron ring around his neck.
19 Joseph was a slave until what he had said really happened. The Lord's message proved that Joseph was right.
20 So the king of Egypt set him free. That nation's leader let him out of jail.
21 He put Joseph in charge of his house. Joseph took care of everything the king owned.
22 Joseph gave instructions to the other leaders. He taught the older men.
23 Then Israel came to Egypt. Jacob lived in Ham's country.
24 Jacob's family became very large and more powerful than their enemies.
25 So the Egyptians began to hate his people. They made plans against his servants.
26 So the Lord sent Moses, his servant, and Aaron, his chosen priest.
27 He used Moses and Aaron to do many miracles in Ham's country.
28 He sent darkness to cover their land, but the Egyptians did not listen to him.
29 So he changed the water into blood, and all their fish died.
30 Their country was filled with frogs, even in the king's bedroom.
31 The Lord gave the command, and the flies and gnats came. They were everywhere!
32 He made the rain become hail. Lightning struck throughout their land.
33 He destroyed their vines and fig trees. He destroyed every tree in their country.
34 He gave the command, and the locusts and grasshoppers came. There were too many to count!
35 They ate all the plants in the country, including all the crops in their fields.
36 Then the Lord killed every firstborn in their country. He killed their oldest sons.
37 He led his people out of Egypt. They were carrying gold and silver, and none of them stumbled or fell behind.
38 Egypt was happy to see his people go, because they were afraid of them.
39 The Lord spread out his cloud like a blanket. He used his column of fire to give his people light at night.
40 They asked for food, and he sent them quail. He also gave them plenty of bread from heaven.
41 He split the rock, and water came bubbling out. A river began flowing in the desert!
42 The Lord remembered his holy promise that he had made to his servant Abraham.
43 He brought his people out of Egypt. They came out rejoicing and singing their happy songs!
44 Then he gave his people the lands of other nations. His people got what others had worked for.
45 He did this so that his people would obey his laws and follow his teachings. 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.