« | Psalm 64 | » |
1 To the chief music-maker. A Psalm. Of David. O God, let the voice of my grief come to your ear: keep my life from the fear of those who are against me.
2 Keep me safe from the secret purpose of wrongdoers; from the band of the workers of evil;
3 Who make their tongues sharp like a sword, and whose arrows are pointed, even bitter words;
4 So that in secret they may let loose their arrows at the upright, suddenly and unseen.
5 They make themselves strong in an evil purpose; they make holes for secret nets; they say, Who will see it,
6 Or make discovery of our secret purpose? The design is framed with care; and the inner thought of a man, and his heart, is deep.
7 But God sends out an arrow against them; suddenly they are wounded.
8 The evil of their tongues is the cause of their fall; all those who see them are shaking their heads at them.
9 And in fear men make public the works of God; and giving thought to his acts they get wisdom.
10 The upright will be glad in the Lord and have hope in him; and all the lovers of righteousness will give him glory.
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.