« | Psalm 83 | » |
1 A Song. A Psalm. Of Asaph. O God, do not keep quiet: let your lips be open and take no rest, O God.
2 For see! those who make war on you are out of control; your haters are lifting up their heads.
3 They have made wise designs against your people, talking together against those whom you keep in a secret place.
4 They have said, Come, let us put an end to them as a nation; so that the name of Israel may go out of man's memory.
5 For they have all come to an agreement; they are all joined together against you:
6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagarites;
7 Gebal and Ammon and Amalek; the Philistines and the people of Tyre;
8 Assur is joined with them; they have become the support of the children of Lot. (Selah.)
9 Do to them what you did to the Midianites; what you did to Sisera and Jabin, at the stream of Kishon:
10 Who came to destruction at En-dor; their bodies became dust and waste.
11 Make their chiefs like Oreb and Zeeb; and all their rulers like Zebah and Zalmunna:
12 Who have said, Let us take for our heritage the resting-place of God.
13 O my God, make them like the rolling dust; like dry stems before the wind.
14 As fire burning a wood, and as a flame causing fire on the mountains,
15 So go after them with your strong wind, and let them be full of fear because of your storm.
16 Let their faces be full of shame; so that they may give honour to your name, O Lord.
17 Let them be overcome and troubled for ever; let them be put to shame and come to destruction;
18 So that men may see that you only, whose name is Yahweh, are Most High over all the earth.
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.