« | Romans 3 | » |
1 So, do Jews have anything that others don't have? Do they get any benefit from being circumcised?
2 Yes, the Jews have many benefits. The most important one is this: God trusted the Jews with his teachings.
3 It is true that some Jews were not faithful to God. But will that stop God from doing what he promised?
4 No, even if everyone else is a liar, God will always do what he says. As the Scriptures say about him, "You will be proved right in what you say, and you will win when people accuse you."
5 When we do wrong, that shows more clearly that God is right. So can we say that God does wrong when he punishes us? (That's the way some people think.)
6 Of course not. If God could not punish us, how could he judge the world?
7 Someone might say, "When I lie, it really gives God glory, because my lie makes his truth easier to see. So why am I judged a sinner?"
8 It would be the same to say, "We should do evil so that good will come." Many people criticize us, saying that's what we teach. They are wrong, and they should be condemned for saying that.
9 So are we Jews better than other people? No, we have already said that those who are Jews, as well as those who are not Jews, are the same. They are all guilty of sin.
10 As the Scriptures say, "There is no one doing what is right, not even one.
11 There is no one who understands. There is no one who is trying to be with God.
12 They have all turned away from him, and now they are of no use to anyone. There is no one who does good, not even one."
13 "Their words come from mouths that are like open graves. They use their lying tongues to deceive others." "Their words are like the poison of snakes."
14 "Their mouths are full of cursing and angry words."
15 "They are always ready to kill someone.
16 Everywhere they go they cause trouble and ruin.
17 They don't know how to live in peace."
18 "They have no fear or respect for God."
19 What the law says is for those who are under the law. It stops anyone from making excuses. And it brings the whole world under God's judgment,
20 because no one can be made right with God by following the law. The law only shows us our sin.
21 But God has a way to make people right, and it has nothing to do with the law. He has now shown us that new way, which the law and the prophets told us about.
22 God makes people right through their faith in Jesus Christ. He does this for all who believe in Christ. Everyone is the same.
23 All have sinned and are not good enough to share God's divine greatness.
24 They are made right with God by his grace. This is a free gift. They are made right with God by being made free from sin through Jesus Christ.
25 God gave Jesus as a way to forgive people's sins through their faith in him. God can forgive them because the blood sacrifice of Jesus pays for their sins. God gave Jesus to show that he always does what is right and fair. He was right in the past when he was patient and did not punish people for their sins. And in our own time he still does what is right. God worked all this out in a way that allows him to judge people fairly and still make right any person who has faith in Jesus.
26
27 So do we have any reason to boast about ourselves? No reason at all. And why not? Because we are depending on the way of faith, not on what we have done in following the law.
28 I mean we are made right with God through faith, not through what we have done to follow the law. This is what we believe.
29 God is not only the God of the Jews. He is also the God of those who are not Jews.
30 There is only one God. He will make Jews right with him by their faith, and he will also make non-Jews right with him through their faith.
31 So do we destroy the law by following the way of faith? Not at all! In fact, faith causes us to be what the law actually wants.
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.