« | Romans 4 | » |
1 So what can we say about Abraham, the father of our people? What did he learn about faith?
2 If Abraham was made right by the things he did, he had a reason to boast about himself. But God knew different.
3 That's why the Scriptures say, "Abraham believed God, and because of this faith he was accepted as one who is right with God."
4 When people work, their pay is not given to them as a gift. They earn the pay they get.
5 But people cannot do any work that will make them right with God. So they must trust in him. Then he accepts their faith, and that makes them right with him. He is the one who makes even evil people right.
6 David said the same thing when he was talking about the blessing people have when God accepts them as good without looking at what they have done:
7 "What a blessing it is when people are forgiven for the wrongs they have done, when their sins are erased!
8 What a blessing it is when the Lord accepts people as if they are without sin!"
9 Is this blessing only for those who are circumcised? Or is it also for those who are not circumcised? We have already said that it was because of Abraham's faith that he was accepted as one who is right with God.
10 So how did this happen? Did God accept Abraham before or after he was circumcised? God accepted him before his circumcision.
11 Abraham was circumcised later to show that God accepted him. His circumcision was proof that he was right with God through faith before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the father of all those who believe but are not circumcised. They believe and are accepted as people who are right with God.
12 And Abraham is also the father of those who have been circumcised. But it is not their circumcision that makes him their father. He is their father only if they live following the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
13 Abraham and his descendants received the promise that they would get the whole world. But Abraham did not receive that promise because he followed the law. He received that promise because he was right with God through his faith.
14 If people could get God's promise by following the law, then faith is worthless. And God's promise to Abraham is worthless,
15 because the law can only bring God's anger on those who disobey it. But if there is no law, then there is nothing to disobey.
16 So people get what God promised by having faith. This happens so that the promise can be a free gift. And if the promise is a free gift, then all of Abraham's people will get that promise. The promise is not just for those who live under the Law of Moses. It is for all who live with faith as Abraham did. He is the father of us all.
17 As the Scriptures say, "I have made you a father of many nations." This is true before God, the one Abraham believed— the God who gives life to the dead and speaks of things that don't yet exist as if they are real.
18 There was no hope that Abraham would have children, but Abraham believed God and continued to hope. And that is why he became the father of many nations. As God told him, "You will have many descendants."
19 Abraham was almost a hundred years old, so he was past the age for having children. Also, Sarah could not have children. Abraham was well aware of this, but his faith in God never became weak.
20 He never doubted that God would do what he promised. He never stopped believing. In fact, he grew stronger in his faith and just praised God.
21 Abraham felt sure that God was able to do what he promised.
22 So that's why "he was accepted as one who is right with God."
23 These words ("he was accepted") were written not only for Abraham.
24 They were also written for us. God will also accept us because we believe. We believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from death.
25 Jesus was handed over to die for our sins, and he was raised from death to make us right with God.
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.