« | Psalm 147 | » |
1 Give praise to the Lord; for it is good to make melody to our God; praise is pleasing and beautiful.
2 The Lord is building up Jerusalem; he makes all the outlaws of Israel come together.
3 He makes the broken-hearted well, and puts oil on their wounds.
4 He sees the number of the stars; he gives them all their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and great his power; there is no limit to his wisdom.
6 The Lord gives help to the poor in spirit; but he sends sinners down in shame.
7 Make songs of praise to the Lord; make melody to our God with instruments of music.
8 By his hand the heaven is covered with clouds and rain is stored up for the earth; he makes the grass tall on the mountains.
9 He gives food to every beast, and to the young ravens in answer to their cry.
10 He has no delight in the strength of a horse; he takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.
11 The Lord takes pleasure in his worshippers, and in those whose hope is in his mercy.
12 Give praise to the Lord, O Jerusalem; give praise to your God, O Zion.
13 He has made strong the iron bands of your doors; he has sent blessings on your children inside your walls.
14 He gives peace in all your land, making your stores full of fat grain.
15 He sends out his orders to the earth; his word goes out quickly.
16 He gives snow like wool; he sends out ice-drops like dust.
17 He sends down ice like raindrops: water is made hard by his cold.
18 At the outgoing of his word, the ice is turned to water; when he sends out his wind, there is a flowing of waters.
19 He makes his word clear to Jacob, teaching Israel his laws and his decisions.
20 He has not done these things for any other nation: and as for his laws, they have no knowledge of them. Let the Lord be praised.
The Bible in Basic English (BBE)
The Bible in Basic English (BBE) is a translation of the Bible that aims to make the scriptures accessible to people with limited English proficiency. Completed in 1941 by Professor Samuel Henry Hooke and a team of scholars, the BBE utilizes a simplified vocabulary of approximately 1,000 basic English words, along with additional words necessary to maintain the integrity of the biblical text. This approach ensures that the translation is easily understandable while still conveying the core messages and teachings of the Bible.
One of the defining features of the BBE is its commitment to simplicity and clarity. By using a restricted vocabulary and straightforward sentence structures, the BBE makes it easier for readers to grasp the fundamental ideas of the scriptures without being hindered by complex language. This makes the BBE particularly valuable for non-native English speakers, children, and individuals with limited literacy skills. The translation aims to break down language barriers, allowing a broader audience to engage with Bible teachings.
Despite its simplified language, the BBE strives to remain faithful to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. The translators worked carefully to ensure that the essential meanings and theological concepts were preserved, even as they adapted the language to be more accessible. This balance of simplicity and fidelity to the original texts helps maintain the Bible’ s depth and spiritual richness while making it more approachable. The BBE’ s emphasis on clarity without sacrificing essential meaning has made it a useful tool for teaching and evangelism.
However, the BBE has faced some criticism, particularly from scholars and theologians who argue that the simplification process may lead to the loss of some nuances and deeper meanings present in the original languages. Some feel that the restricted vocabulary can oversimplify complex theological concepts, potentially limiting the reader’ s understanding of the full depth of the scriptures. Despite these criticisms, the Bible in Basic English remains a valuable resource for those seeking an easily understandable version of the Bible, providing a bridge for many to access the timeless messages contained within the holy scriptures.