« | Psalm 135 | » |
1 Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord! Praise him, you servants of the Lord,
2 you who serve in the Lord's Temple, in the courtyard of the Temple of our God.
3 Praise the Lord, because he is good. Praise his name, because it brings such joy!
4 The Lord chose Jacob to be his own. Yes, he chose Israel to be his own people.
5 I know the Lord is great! Our Lord is greater than all the gods!
6 The Lord does whatever he wants, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and the deep oceans.
7 He brings the clouds from the other side of the earth. He sends the lightning and the rain, and he opens the doors to release the winds.
8 He destroyed the firstborn males of the people in Egypt and their animals.
9 He did great wonders and miracles in Egypt. He used them against Pharaoh and his officials.
10 He defeated many nations and killed powerful kings.
11 He defeated Sihon, king of the Amorites, Og, king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms in Canaan.
12 Then he gave their land to Israel, his people.
13 Lord, your name will be famous forever! Lord, people will remember you forever and ever.
14 The Lord defends his people; he is kind to his servants.
15 The gods of other nations are only gold and silver idols that people have made.
16 They have mouths, but cannot speak. They have eyes, but cannot see.
17 They have ears, but cannot hear. They have mouths, but no breath.
18 Those who make idols and trust in them will become just like the idols they have made.
19 Family of Israel, praise the Lord! Aaron's family, praise the Lord!
20 Levi's family, praise the Lord! All you who worship the Lord, praise the Lord!
21 The Lord should be praised from Zion, from Jerusalem, his home. Praise the Lord!
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.