Easy-to-Read™ Version (ERV)

Billions of people are starving for the message of Christ, but most do not have the Bible in a language they can easily understand. Bible League International is committed to producing Easy-to-Read translations in each of the world's 100 most-spoken languages, which would then be available to nearly 90% of the world's population. We've already completed 30 languages.

 
The first translation produced by the World Bible Translation Center was the Easy-to-Read Version for the Deaf. It was designed to meet the needs of Deaf people who were unfamiliar with the structure and idioms of English as it is commonly spoken. The New Testament was completed in 1978 and published as the English Version for the Deaf (EVD) by Baker Book house. Since that time, the text has been revised several times. WBTC, INC retains the copyright for the text, which it licenses to many other agencies for publication. Written at a third-grade reading level, with very short sentences and using a limited vocabulary, the translation is the simplest English version ever published. In 2012 Bible League International published the Children’s Illustrated Bible and Children’s Illustrated New Testament. 

Understandable. Easy-to-Read™ Bible translations are written in everyday language that makes God’s Word understandable.

Basic Reading Level. Many people in the world do not have an education beyond the third grade level. Easy-to-Read™ translations make God’s Word more accessible to people who read at this basic level.

Helpful to New Believers. Easy-to-Read™ Scriptures, written in everyday language, are especially helpful to seekers and new believers as they apply God’s message to their lives.

Serves the Church. When a body of believers has a clear understanding of God’s Word, they are prepared to share the story of Jesus within their community.

Worldwide impact. Since 100 of the world’s most-spoken languages represent 95% of the world’s population, imagine the impact if an Easy-to-Read™ Bible was available in all 100 languages!

We are not translating the ERV, the English easy-to-read translation; but rather, producing easy-to-read type translations in other languages.

Bible League International is working hard to produce various formats of the ERV.  So far ERV Bibles are available in print, on SD Card, PDF online and Apps for smartphones.  Formats outside of print are proving very effective at providing valuable Scriptures to people in persecuted communities.  Bible League's aim is to provide the ERV free of charge to people wanting Bibles.

But Bible League can't do this on our own. We depend on people like you--people who love God's Word and have a passion to share it--to support this ministry. Our partners in the field--local churches and Christian organizations--use these Bibles for evangelism and discipleship. People grow in their faith. God's Church grows in numbers and commitment. All because we work together.

Your ongoing support will make sure more Easy-to-Read™ Bible translations are available to those in the far reaches of our world. Through your gift, the very first Bible people access will be one they can understand! Together we can plant God’s Word so more people meet Jesus. 

 

Read more about our work on our website www.bl.org.au