« | Psalm 145 | » |
1 A song of David. I will tell of your greatness, my God and King. I will praise your name forever and ever.
2 I will praise you every day. I will praise your name forever and ever.
3 The Lord is great and deserves all our praise! No one can fully understand his greatness!
4 Each generation will praise you and tell the next generation about the great things you do.
5 Your majesty and glory are wonderful. I will tell about your miracles.
6 People will tell about the amazing things you do. I will tell about the great things you do.
7 They will tell about the good things you do. They will sing about your goodness.
8 The Lord is kind and merciful, patient and full of love.
9 The Lord is good to everyone. He shows his mercy to everything he made.
10 Lord, all you have made will give thanks to you. Your loyal followers will praise you.
11 They will tell how great your kingdom is. They will tell how great you are.
12 So others will learn about the mighty things you do, about the glory of your kingdom— how marvelous it is!
13 Your kingdom will never end, and you will rule forever. The Lord can be trusted in all that he says. He is loyal in all that he does.
14 The Lord lifts up people who have fallen. He helps those who are in trouble.
15 All living things look to you for their food, and you give them their food at the right time.
16 You open your hands and give every living thing all that it needs.
17 Everything the Lord does is good. Everything he does shows how loyal he is.
18 The Lord is near to everyone who sincerely calls to him for help.
19 He listens to his followers and does what they want. He answers their prayers and saves them.
20 The Lord protects everyone who loves him, but he destroys all who do evil.
21 I will praise the Lord! Let everyone praise his holy name forever and ever!
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.