The Holy Bible: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

The Holy Bible: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) is an English translation of the Bible compiled by the World Bible Translation Center. It was initially published as the English Version for the Deaf (EVD) by BakerBooks. Some Deaf readers struggle with reading English because of their limited exposure to language. The World Bible Translation Center (WBTC) decided to do a translation that would make reading the Bible more accessible for them. The EVD uses more straightforward vocabulary and shorter sentences to make it easier to understand. The translators used a thought-for-thought or functional equivalence method of translation. The ERV uses the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia and follows the Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures when its readings are more accurate. For the New Testament revisions, the ERV uses the United Bible Society's Greek New Testament (fourth revised edition, 1993) and Nestle-Aland Novum Testament Graece (twenty-seventh edition, 1993). The EVD New Testament was completed and published by Baker Books in 1978. The Old Testament was completed in 1986. The entire compilation of Old and New Testaments was published as the 'English Version for the Deaf' and the 'Easy to Read Version' in 1987. In 2004, a significant revision of the ERV was finished. It used a broader vocabulary and greater use of gender-inclusive language. The EVD was left unchanged, so it and the ERV now have different texts.

Quotations from the ERV text may be used up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without express written permission, providing the verses do not amount to a complete book of the Bible nor do the verses quoted account for twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the total text of the work in which they are quoted.

When quoting from the ERV, the following credit line should be included:

HOLY BIBLE: EASY-TO-READ VERSION® Copyright © 2006 by World Bible Translation Center, Inc. and Bible League International. Used by permission.

The text of the ERV may not be reproduced in any form (printed, electronic, or audio) for commercial purposes without prior written consent from Bible League International.

The "Easy-to-Read" trademark is registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Bible League International. Used by permission.