« | Zechariah 6 | » |
1 Then I turned around. I looked up and saw four chariots going between two bronze mountains.
2 Red horses were pulling the first chariot. Black horses were pulling the second chariot.
3 White horses were pulling the third chariot, and horses with red spots were pulling the fourth chariot.
4 I asked the angel who was talking with me, "Sir, what does this mean?"
5 The angel said, "These are the four winds. They have just come from the Lord of the whole world.
6 The black horses will go north, the red horses will go east, the white horses will go west, and the horses with red spots will go south."
7 The red spotted horses were anxious to go look at their part of the earth, so the angel told them, "Go walk through the earth." So they went walking through their part of the earth.
8 Then he shouted at me and said, "Look, those horses that were going north finished their job {in Babylon}. They have calmed my spirit; I am not angry now!"
9 Then I received another message from the Lord. He said,
10 "Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah have come from the captives in Babylon. Get silver and gold from these men and then go to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah.
11 Use the silver and gold to make a crown. Put it on the head of the high priest, Joshua son of Jehozadak.
12 Then tell him this is what the Lord All- Powerful says: 'There is a man called The Branch. He will grow strong, and he will build the Lord's Temple.
13 He will build the Lord's Temple, and he will receive the honor. He will sit on his throne and be the ruler, and a priest will stand by his throne. These two men will work together in peace.'
14 "They will put the crown in the Temple to be a reminder for Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Zephaniah's son, Josiah. It will help them remember {that the king's power comes from God}.
15 People living far away will come and build the Lord's Temple." Then you will know for sure that the Lord All-Powerful sent me to you people. All these things will happen if you do what the Lord your God says.
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.