« | Genesis 40 | » |
1 Later, two of Pharaoh's servants did something wrong to Pharaoh. These servants were the baker and the man who served wine to Pharaoh.
2 Pharaoh became angry with his baker and wine server,
3 so he put them in the same prison as Joseph. Potiphar, the commander of Pharaoh's guards, was in charge of this prison.
4 The commander put the two prisoners under Joseph's care. The two men continued to stay in prison for some time.
5 One night both of the prisoners had a dream. The baker and the wine server each had his own dream, and each dream had its own meaning.
6 Joseph went to them the next morning and saw that the two men were worried.
7 He asked them, "Why do you look so worried today?"
8 The two men answered, "We both had dreams last night, but we don't understand what we dreamed. There is no one to explain the dreams to us." Joseph said to them, "God is the only one who can understand and explain dreams. So I beg you, tell me your dreams."
9 So the wine server told Joseph his dream. The server said, "I dreamed I saw a vine.
10 On the vine there were three branches. I watched the branches grow flowers and then become grapes.
11 I was holding Pharaoh's cup, so I took the grapes and squeezed the juice into the cup. Then I gave the cup to Pharaoh."
12 Then Joseph said, "I will explain the dream to you. The three branches mean three days.
13 Before the end of three days, Pharaoh will forgive you and allow you to go back to your work. You will do the same work for Pharaoh as you did before.
14 But when you are free, remember me. Be good to me and help me. Tell Pharaoh about me so that I can get out of this prison.
15 I was kidnapped and taken from the land of my people, the Hebrews. I have done nothing wrong! I should not be in prison."
16 The baker saw that the other servant's dream was good, so he said to Joseph, "I also had a dream. I dreamed there were three baskets of bread on my head.
17 In the top basket there were all kinds of baked food for the king, but birds were eating this food."
18 Joseph answered, "I will tell you what the dream means. The three baskets mean three days.
19 Before the end of three days, the king will take you out of this prison and cut off your head! He will hang your body on a pole, and the birds will eat it."
20 Three days later it was Pharaoh's birthday. He gave a party for all his servants. At the party Pharaoh allowed the wine server and the baker to leave the prison.
21 He freed the wine server and gave him his job back, and once again the wine server put a cup of wine in Pharaoh's hand.
22 But Pharaoh hanged the baker, and everything happened the way Joseph said it would.
23 But the wine server did not remember to help Joseph. He said nothing about him to Pharaoh. The wine server forgot about Joseph.
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.