« | Psalm 85 | » |
1 To the director: A song of praise from the Korah family. Lord, you have been so kind to your land. You have brought success again to the people of Jacob.
2 You have forgiven the bad things your people did. You have taken away the guilt of their sins! Selah
3 You stopped being angry with them. Your terrible anger has gone away.
4 Our God and Savior, accept us again. Don't be angry with us anymore.
5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will your anger reach to our children and to their children?
6 Please, give us new life! Make your people happy to be yours.
7 Lord, save us and show us your love.
8 I heard what the Lord God said. He said there would be peace for his people and his loyal followers. So they must not go back to their foolish way of living.
9 He will soon save his faithful followers. His glory will again live in our land.
10 God's love will come together with his faithful people. Goodness and peace will greet them with a kiss.
11 People on earth will be loyal to God, and God in heaven will be good to them.
12 The Lord will give us many good things. The ground will grow many good crops.
13 Goodness will go before the Lord and prepare the way for him.
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.