« | Psalm 94 | » |
1 The Lord is a God who punishes people. God, come punish them.
2 You are the judge of the whole earth. Give proud people the punishment they deserve.
3 Lord, how long will the wicked have their fun? How much longer?
4 How much longer will those criminals brag about the evil they did?
5 Lord, they hurt your people and make them suffer.
6 They kill widows and foreigners living in our country. They murder orphans.
7 And they say the Lord does not see them doing those evil things! They say the God of Jacob does not know what is happening.
8 You evil people are foolish. When will you learn your lesson? You are so stupid! You must try to understand.
9 God made our ears, so surely he can hear what is happening! He made our eyes, so surely he can see you!
10 The one who disciplines nations will surely correct you. He is the one who teaches us everything.
11 He knows what people are thinking. He knows that their thoughts are like a puff of wind.
12 Lord, what blessings there are for those you discipline, for those you teach from your law.
13 You help them stay calm when trouble comes. You will help them until the wicked are put in their graves.
14 The Lord will not leave his people. He will not leave them without help.
15 Justice will return and bring fairness. And those who want to do right will be there to see it.
16 No one helped me fight against the wicked. No one stood with me against those who do evil.
17 And if the Lord had not helped me, I would have been silenced by death.
18 I know I was ready to fall, but, Lord, your faithful love supported me.
19 I was very worried and upset, but you comforted me and made me happy!
20 You don't help crooked judges. They use the law to make life hard for the people.
21 They attack those who do right. They say innocent people are guilty and put them to death.
22 But the Lord is my place of safety, high on the mountain. God, my Rock, is my safe place!
23 He will punish those evil judges for the bad things they did. He will destroy them because they sinned. The Lord our God will destroy them.
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.