« | Zechariah 3 | » |
1 The angel showed me Joshua the high priest, standing in front of the Angel of the Lord and Satan was standing by Joshua's right side. Satan was there to accuse Joshua of doing wrong.
2 Then {the angel of} the Lord said, "The Lord says that you are wrong, and he will continue to correct you! The Lord has chosen Jerusalem to be his special city. He saved that city—it was like a burning stick pulled from the fire."
3 Joshua was wearing a dirty robe as he stood in front of the angel.
4 Then the angel said to the other angels standing near him, "Take those dirty clothes off Joshua." Then the angel spoke to Joshua. He said, "Now, I have taken away your guilt, and I am giving you a new change of clothes."
5 Then I said, "Put a clean turban on his head." So they put the clean turban on him and also put clean clothes on him while the Lord's angel stood there.
6 Then the Lord's angel said this to Joshua:
7 This is what the Lord All-Powerful said: "Live the way I tell you, and do everything I say. And you will be in charge of my Temple. You will take care of its courtyard. You will be free to go anywhere in my Temple, just as these angels standing here.
8 Listen, Joshua, you who are high priest, and listen, you fellow priests seated before him. You are all examples to show what will happen when I bring my special servant. He is called, The Branch.
9 Look, I put a special stone in front of Joshua. There are seven sides on that stone. I will carve a special message on it. This will show that in one day, I will remove the guilt from this land."
10 The Lord All-Powerful says, "At that time people will sit and talk with their friends and neighbors. They will invite each other to sit under the fig trees and grapevines."
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.