« | Psalm 35 | » |
1 A song of David. Lord, oppose those who oppose me. Fight those who fight me.
2 Pick up your shields, large and small. Get up and help me!
3 Take a spear and javelin and fight those who are chasing me. Tell me, "I will rescue you."
4 Some people are trying to kill me. Disappoint them and make them ashamed. Make them turn and run away. They are planning to hurt me. Defeat and embarrass them.
5 Make them like chaff blown by the wind. Let them be chased by the Lord's angel.
6 Make their road dark and slippery. Let the Lord's angel chase them.
7 I did nothing wrong, but they tried to trap me. For no reason at all, they dug a pit to catch me.
8 So let them fall into their own traps. Let them stumble into their own nets. Let some unknown danger catch them.
9 Then I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be happy when he saves me.
10 With my whole self I will say, "Lord, there is no one like you. You protect the poor from those who are stronger. You save the poor and helpless from those who try to rob them."
11 There are witnesses trying to harm me. They ask me questions that I know nothing about.
12 They pay me back evil for the good I have done. They make me so very sad.
13 When they were sick, I was sad and wore sackcloth. I went without eating to show my sorrow. (May my prayers for them not be answered!)
14 I mourned for them as I would for a friend or a brother. I bowed low with sadness, crying as I would for my own mother.
15 But when I had troubles, they laughed at me. They were not really friends. I was surrounded and attacked by people I didn't even know.
16 They made fun of me, using the worst language. They ground their teeth to show their anger.
17 My Lord, how long will you watch this happen? Save my life from these people who are attacking me like lions and trying to destroy me.
18 I will praise you in the great assembly. I will praise you there among the crowds.
19 Don't let my lying enemies keep on laughing at me. They have no reason to hate me. Surely they will be punished for their secret plans.
20 They have no friendly words for others, but plan ways to hurt those who want to live in peace.
21 They are telling lies about me. They say, "Aha! We know what you did!"
22 Lord, surely you can see what is happening. So don't keep quiet. Lord, don't leave me.
23 Wake up! Get up! My God and my Lord, fight for me, and bring me justice.
24 Lord my God, judge me with your fairness. Don't let those people laugh at me.
25 Don't let them think, "Aha! We got what we wanted!" Don't let them say, "We destroyed him!"
26 Let my enemies be ashamed and embarrassed— all those who were happy about my troubles. Proud of themselves, they treated me as worthless. So let them be covered with shame and disgrace.
27 To those who want the best for me, I wish them joy and happiness. May they always say, "Praise the Lord, who wants what is best for his servant."
28 So, Lord, I will tell people how good you are. I will praise you all day long.
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.