« | Psalm 132 | » |
1 A song for going up to the Temple. Lord, remember how David suffered.
2 He made a promise to you, Lord, an oath to the Mighty God of Jacob.
3 He said, "I will not go into my house or lie down on my bed.
4 I will not sleep or let my eyes rest,
5 until I find a home for the Lord, a tent for the Mighty God of Jacob!"
6 We heard about this in Ephrathah. We found the Box of the Agreement at Kiriath Jearim.
7 Now, let's go to the Lord's house. Let's worship at his throne.
8 Lord, get up and go to your resting place; go with the Box that shows your power.
9 May your priests be clothed in victory and your loyal followers be filled with joy.
10 For the sake of your servant David, don't reject your chosen king.
11 The Lord made a promise to David, an oath of loyalty to him: "I will always put one of your descendants on your throne.
12 If your descendants obey my agreement and the laws I teach them, then the king will always be someone from your family."
13 The Lord has chosen Zion to be the place for his Temple, the place he wanted for his home.
14 He said, "This will always be my place of rest. This is where I want to sit on my throne.
15 I will bless this city with plenty of food. Even the poor will have enough to eat.
16 I will clothe the priests with salvation, and my followers will be filled with joy.
17 This is where I will make David's family strong. I will never let the lamp of my chosen king stop burning.
18 I will cover his enemies with shame, and on his head will be a shining crown."
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.