« | Psalm 129 | » |
1 A Song of the going up. Great have been my troubles from the time when I was young (let Israel now say);
2 Great have been my troubles from the time when I was young, but my troubles have not overcome me.
3 The ploughmen were ploughing on my back; long were the wounds they made.
4 The Lord is true: the cords of the evil-doers are broken in two.
5 Let all the haters of Zion be shamed and turned back.
6 Let them be like the grass on the house-tops, which is dry before it comes to full growth.
7 He who gets in the grain has no use for it; and they do not make bands of it for the grain-stems.
8 And those who go by do not say, The blessing of the Lord be on you; we give you blessing in the name of the Lord.
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.