The Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) is an English translation of the Bible published by the World Bible Translation Center. The ERV aims to make the Bible accessible and understandable to all readers, including those with low literacy levels or learning disabilities.
Here are some key points about the Easy-to-Read Version (ERV):
- The ERV uses simple vocabulary and grammar to make the text easier to comprehend. It avoids complex theological terms and obscure language.
- The translation style is meant to sound like natural, everyday English when read aloud. Sentence structure and word order are simplified.
- The ERV divides long, complex sentences into shorter ones for better readability. Paragraph breaks are also added frequently.
- Some repetitious content is condensed or removed to improve flow. Certain idioms and metaphors are replaced with plainer language.
- Footnotes explain Bible customs, terms, weights/measures, etc. There are also captions, section headings, and illustrations to aid understanding.
- The ERV is translated from the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. It stays faithful to the meaning of the source texts.
- The ERV uses a meaning-based (thought-for-thought) translation approach rather than a word-for-word method.
- The ERV is written at a 3rd to 4th grade reading level according to accepted readability standards.
- The translation team consulted with reading specialists, teachers, and people with reading difficulties.
The ERV New Testament was first published in 1987 after 10 years of work. The complete ERV Bible (including the Old Testament) came out in 2006. It is available in print, online, as an app, and as an audio Bible.
Here is some background on how the Easy-to-Read Version came about:
In the 1970s, the World Bible Translation Center (WBTC) was established in Arlington, Texas. WBTC was founded by Janis Brooks, a reading teacher who wanted to make the Bible truly accessible for all reading levels.
Brooks had taught English literacy classes, where she saw firsthand how traditional Bible versions could be very difficult for new or struggling readers to comprehend. She believed creating an easy-to-read Bible translation was part of fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
Brooks assembled a team of Biblical scholars, educators, and experts in simplifying text. Their aim was to craft a translation that maintained accuracy while using vocabulary and grammar suitable for low literacy audiences.
Hundreds of mother-tongue translators worked to translate the ERV from English into many other languages. Today the ERV is available in over 60 languages, providing God’s word to millions globally.
In 2009, WBTC partnered with Bible League International, a nonprofit focused on Bible distribution. Bible League has continued to grow and distribute the ERV worldwide.
Though created with struggling readers in mind, the ERV can benefit all readers. Its clarity and ease of use makes it suitable for personal Bible study or reading God’s word aloud in groups or families.
The ERV uses a meaning-based translation philosophy. This approach prioritizes conveying the meaning and intent of the original Biblical writers over strictly literal word-for-word translating.
The ERV translators sought to capture the essence of what was communicated in the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek source texts. The translation is not a paraphrase but stays faithful to the original texts. When needed for clarity, the ERV uses paraphrasing,synonyms, rearranged clauses, and simplified grammar and words.
In the preface to the ERV Bible, Janis Brooks explained the approach: “Meaning-based translations are accurate and faithful to the meaning intended by the original writers. At the same time they use vocabulary and grammar that are natural and clear in the language of the people using the translation.”
There were three primary guidelines for the ERV translation methodology:
- Use language that is natural, clear, simple, and unambiguous.
- Avoid technical religious vocabulary when common terms will communicate the same meaning.
- Format the text with divisions, headings, and punctuation to ease understanding.
The ERV underwent extensive testing with target audiences to refine the translation. Bible portions were read aloud by and to native English speakers with low reading proficiency. Their feedback helped revise unclear passages. Comprehension questions were also used to validate understanding.
The Easy-to-Read Version uses shorter sentences and paragraphs compared to other Bible versions. Sentences average 10-15 words versus 15-25 words in other translations. Paragraph breaks occur frequently – about every 3-5 sentences. This improves readability.
Unnecessary repetition from the original texts is often condensed or eliminated. Genealogies and lists are shortened when they impede the narrative flow.
The ERV simplifies difficult verb tenses. Example: “has come” instead of “has come to come.” Some complex grammatical constructions are rephrased for clarity.
The ERV vocabulary contains approximately 5000 different words. This compares to around 8000 distinct words in the New International Version (NIV) and 12,000 in the King James Version (KJV). The most common 3000 English words make up about 95% of the ERV.
The ERV uses common, everyday words and avoids obscure terms. “Holy” becomes “God’s” or “dedicated.” “Righteous” becomes “good” or “right.” When theological terms are used, they are explained in footnotes. Metaphors and idioms unfamiliar to modern readers are reworded.
Measurements are converted to modern equivalents. Weights, distances, and monetary values are expressed in pounds, miles, and dollars. The ERV does use some transliterated words like “shekel” and “stadia” but footnotes clarify the meanings.
The ERV contains informative footnotes to explain places, people, objects, terms, background information, money, measurements, cultural practices, and more. Footnotes are marked in the text with asterisks.
Section headings, paragraphs, and captioned illustrations are used liberally to aid comprehension. The text is divided into sections with titles that summarize the content.
In the ERV New Testament, quotes from the Old Testament are set apart in italics. This distinguishes the quotation source. In the ERV Old Testament, prophesies about Jesus are highlighted in bold.
Punctuation like commas, periods, and quote marks follow modern English conventions to improve readability. Contractions are used frequently to mimic conversational English.
The translators performed back-translations of the ERV into Greek and Hebrew to check semantic accuracy. Church leaders from various denominations reviewed and gave input on the translation.
Reading-level assessments have shown the ERV to be in the 3rd to 4th grade level. By comparison, most major English Bible versions test at the 7th grade level or higher. The ERV’s low reading level makes it accessible to people with low literacy and learning disabilities.
The ERV has been endorsed by literacy organizations like Literacy Advance, Literacy International, and the International Dyslexia Association. It is used worldwide in literacy and prison ministry programs.
Third party readability software scores the ERV as:
- Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level: 3.5
- Gunning Fog Index: 6.1
- Flesch Reading Ease: 83.3 (easy reading)
- SMOG Index: 5.3
These ratings confirm the ERV’s suitability for low-literacy audiences. Tests also show the ERV ranks lower in text complexity than translations like the NIV, NASB, ESV, NKJV, and KJV.
The ERV is accepted by many Christian denominations and groups. However, some disagree with its meaning-based translation approach. Groups that prefer strictly literal word-for-word translating (formal equivalence) may not fully endorse the ERV.
Critics argue that paraphrasing can introduce translator bias or improperly minimize repetition present in the original texts. Defenders contend the ERV’s approach is needed to unlock understanding for some readers.
Some linguists assert that a 3rd to 4th grade reading level oversimplifies the original sophisticated messages. Others counter that the essential meanings remain intact in the ERV.
Most agree that no translation is perfect. The ERV meets a need for accessible Scripture among new, struggling, or young readers. More advanced readers may prefer a formal equivalent translation like NASB or a literary translation like ESV.
The Easy-to-Read Version has opened up biblical understanding to millions of children and adults. For many, the ERV has helped them read the Bible for the very first time. Numerous testimonials recount improved comprehension and life change.
Users praise the ERV’s clarity regarding salvation and Christian living. Teachers utilize it in Sunday Schools and remote areas lacking education. Parents read the ERV to their kids more readily than other versions. Adults with limited education or learning issues connect with Scripture through the ERV.
Prison ministries have reported radical transformations when inmates study the ERV. Literacy programs incorporate the ERV to grow students’ reading skills around the world. For English language learners, the ERV’s simple vocabulary and grammar aid comprehension.
The ERV makes God’s word accessible to people on the margins who struggle with traditional Bible versions. For many, it is a life-giving bridge to knowing Christ and transforming faith.
In summary, the Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) aims to share the Bible’s message and stories clearly using basic English. Created for struggling readers, it helps make God’s word understandable for anyone, anywhere. The ERV opens Scripture to children, new readers, English learners, and all who find the Bible hard to comprehend.