« | Psalm 146 | » |
1 Praise the Lord! My soul, praise the Lord!
2 I will praise the Lord all my life. I will sing praises to him as long as I live.
3 Don't depend on your leaders for help. Don't depend on people, because they cannot save you.
4 People die and are buried. Then all their plans to help are gone.
5 What a blessing it is for people to have the God of Jacob to help them. They depend on the Lord their God.
6 He made heaven and earth. He made the sea and everything in it. He can be trusted to do what he says.
7 He does what is right for those who have been hurt. He gives food to the hungry. The Lord frees people locked up in prison.
8 The Lord makes the blind see again. The Lord helps those who are in trouble. The Lord loves those who do right.
9 The Lord protects strangers in our country. He cares for widows and orphans, but he destroys the wicked.
10 The Lord will rule forever! Zion, your God will rule forever and ever! 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.