« | Psalm 24 | » |
1 A song of David. The earth and everything on it belong to the Lord. The world and all its people belong to him.
2 He built the earth on the water. He built it over the rivers.
3 Who can go up on the Lord's mountain? Who can stand in his holy Temple?
4 Only those who have not done evil, who have pure hearts, who have not used my name to hide their lies, and who have not made false promises.
5 Good people ask the Lord to bless others. They ask God, their Savior, to do good things.
6 They try to follow God. They go to the God of Jacob for help. Selah
7 Gates, proudly lift your heads! Open, ancient doors, and the glorious King will come in.
8 Who is the glorious King? He is the Lord, the powerful soldier. He is the Lord, the war hero.
9 Gates, proudly lift your heads! Open, ancient doors, and the glorious King will come in.
10 Who is the glorious King? The Lord All-Powerful is the glorious King.
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.