« | Psalm 120 | » |
1 A song for going up to the Temple. I was in trouble. I called to the Lord for help, and he answered me!
2 I said, "Lord, save me from liars, from those who say things that are not true."
3 Liars, do you know what the Lord has for you? Do you know what you will get?
4 You will get a soldier's sharp arrow and hot coals to punish you.
5 How I hate living here among these people! It's like living in Meshech or in the tents of Kedar.
6 I have lived too long with those who hate peace.
7 I ask for peace, but they want war.
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.