« | Psalm 99 | » |
1 The Lord is King, so let the nations shake with fear. He sits as King above the Cherub angels, so let the whole earth shake.
2 The Lord in Zion is great! He is the great leader over all people.
3 Let all the nations praise your name. Your name is great and awesome. Your name is holy.
4 You are the powerful King who loves justice. You have made things right. You have brought goodness and fairness to Jacob.
5 Praise the Lord our God, and bow down before his footstool, for he is holy.
6 Moses and Aaron were some of his priests, and Samuel was one of the men who called on his name. They prayed to the Lord, and he answered them.
7 God spoke from the tall cloud, and they obeyed his commands and the law he gave them.
8 Lord our God, you answered their prayers. You showed them that you are a forgiving God and that you punish people for the evil they do.
9 Praise the Lord our God. Bow down toward his holy mountain and worship him. The Lord our God is holy!
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.