« | Psalm 13 | » |
1 To the director: A song of David. How long will you forget me, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you refuse to accept me?
2 How long must I wonder if you have forgotten me? How long must I feel this sadness in my heart? How long will my enemy win against me?
3 Lord my God, look at me and give me an answer. Make me feel strong again, or I will die.
4 If that happens, my enemy will say, "I beat him!" He will be so happy that he won.
5 But, Lord, I trust in your faithful love, so let me rejoice because you saved me.
6 Then I will sing to the Lord because he was so good to me.
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.