« | Psalm 80 | » |
1 To the chief music-maker; put to Shoshannim-eduth. Of Asaph. A Psalm. Give ear, O Keeper of Israel, guiding Joseph like a flock; you who have your seat on the winged ones, let your glory be seen.
2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, let your strength be awake from sleep, and come as our salvation.
3 Take us back again, O God; let us see the shining of your face, and let us be safe.
4 O Lord God of armies, how long will your wrath be burning against the rest of your people?
5 You have given them the bread of weeping for food; for their drink you have given them sorrow in great measure.
6 You make us a cause of war among our neighbours; our haters are laughing at us among themselves.
7 Take us back again, O God of armies; let us see the shining of your face, and let us be safe.
8 You took a vine out of Egypt: driving out the nations, and planting it in their land.
9 You made ready a place for it, so that it might take deep root, and it sent out its branches over all the land.
10 The mountains were covered with its shade, and the great trees with its branches.
11 It sent out its arms to the Sea, and its branches to the River.
12 Why are its walls broken down by your hands, so that all who go by may take its fruit?
13 It is uprooted by the pigs from the woods, the beasts of the field get their food from it.
14 Come back, O God of armies: from heaven let your eyes be turned to this vine, and give your mind to it,
15 Even to the tree which was planted by your right hand, and to the branch which you made strong for yourself.
16 It is burned with fire; it is cut down: they are made waste by the wrath of your face.
17 Let your hand be on the man of your right hand, on the son of man whom you made strong for yourself.
18 So will we not be turned back from you; keep us in life, and we will give praise to your name.
19 Take us back, O Lord God of armies; let us see the shining of your face, and let us be safe.
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.