« | Psalm 147 | » |
1 Praise the Lord because he is good. Sing praises to our God. It is good and pleasant to praise him.
2 The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem. He brings back the Israelites who were taken as prisoners.
3 He heals their broken hearts and bandages their wounds.
4 He counts the stars and knows each of them by name.
5 Our Lord is great, and he is very powerful. There is no limit to what he knows.
6 The Lord supports the humble, but he shames the wicked.
7 Give thanks to the Lord. Praise our God with harps.
8 He fills the sky with clouds. He sends rain to the earth. He makes the grass grow on the mountains.
9 He gives food to the animals. He feeds the young birds.
10 War horses and powerful soldiers are not what he cares about.
11 The Lord enjoys people who worship him and trust in his faithful love.
12 Jerusalem, praise the Lord! Zion, praise your God!
13 He makes your gates strong, and he blesses the people in your city.
14 He brought peace to your country, so you have plenty of grain for food.
15 He gives a command to the earth, and it quickly obeys.
16 He makes the snow fall until the ground is as white as wool. He makes sleet blow through the air like dust.
17 He makes hail fall like rocks from the sky. No one can stand the cold he sends.
18 Then he gives another command, and warm air begins to blow. The ice melts, and water begins to flow.
19 He gave his commands to Jacob. He gave his laws and rules to Israel.
20 He did not do this for any other nation. He did not teach his laws to other people. 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.