« | Psalm 11 | » |
1 To the director: A song of David. I trust in the Lord, so why did you tell me to run and hide? Why did you say, "Fly like a bird to your mountain?"
2 Like hunters, the wicked hide in the dark. They get their bows ready and aim their arrows. They shoot at good, honest people.
3 What would good people do if the wicked destroyed all that is good?
4 The Lord is in his holy temple. The Lord sits on his throne in heaven. He sees everything that happens. He watches people closely.
5 The Lord examines those who are good and those who are wicked; he hates those who enjoy hurting others.
6 He will make hot coals and burning sulfur fall like rain on the wicked. They will get nothing but a hot, burning wind.
7 The Lord always does what is right, and he loves seeing people do right. Those who live good lives will be with him.
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.