« | Amos 2 | » |
1 This is what the Lord says: "For the many crimes of Moab, I will punish them. They burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime.
2 So I will send fire on Moab that will destroy the strong buildings of the city of Kerioth. The people of Moab will die in a great noise, in the middle of the sounds of war and trumpets.
3 So I will bring an end to the king of Moab, and I will kill all its leaders with him," says the Lord.
4 This is what the Lord says: "For the many crimes of Judah, I will punish them. and did not keep his commands; they followed the same gods as their ancestors had followed.
5 So I will send fire on Judah, and it will destroy the strong buildings of Jerusalem."
6 This is what the Lord says: "For the many crimes of Israel, I will punish them. For silver, they sell people who have done nothing wrong; they sell the poor to buy a pair of sandals.
7 They walk on poor people as if they were dirt, and they refuse to be fair to those who are suffering. Fathers and sons have sexual relations with the same woman, and so they ruin my holy name.
8 As they worship at their altars, they lie down on clothes taken from the poor. They fine people, and with that money they buy wine to drink in the house of their god.
9 "But it was I who destroyed the Amorites before them, who were tall like cedar trees and as strong as oaks -- I destroyed them completely.
10 It was I who brought you from the land of Egypt and led you for forty years through the desert so I could give you the land of the Amorites.
11 I made some of your children to be prophets and some of your young people to be Nazirites. People of Israel, isn't this true?" says the Lord.
12 "But you made the Nazirites drink wine and told the prophets not to prophesy.
13 Now I will make you get stuck, as a wagon loaded with grain gets stuck.
14 No one will escape, not even the fastest runner. Strong people will not be strong enough; warriors will not be able to save themselves.
15 Soldiers with bows and arrows will not stand and fight, and even fast runners will not get away; soldiers on horses will not escape alive.
16 At that time even the bravest warriors will run away without their armor," says the Lord.
The New Century Version (NCV)
The New Century Version (NCV) is a contemporary English translation of the Bible designed to be easily understandable and accessible to a broad audience. First published in 1987 by Thomas Nelson, the NCV originated from a project aimed at creating a simplified English translation for children. Over time, the scope of the translation expanded to cater to readers of all ages, including those with limited English proficiency and those new to the Bible. The NCV’s primary goal is to communicate the truths of Scripture in clear, everyday language that resonates with modern readers.
A notable feature of the NCV is its use of dynamic equivalence, or thought-for-thought translation philosophy. This approach prioritizes conveying the meaning and intent of the original texts over maintaining a strict word-for-word correspondence. By doing so, the NCV aims to make the Bible’s messages more relatable and easier to understand, especially for those who may find traditional translations challenging. The translation team worked diligently to balance accuracy with readability, ensuring that the essence of the biblical texts is preserved while making them more accessible to contemporary audiences.
The NCV also includes various study aids and features designed to enhance comprehension and engagement with the biblical text. These include introductions to each book of the Bible, footnotes that provide historical and cultural context, and cross-references that help readers see connections between different parts of Scripture. Additionally, the NCV often employs gender-neutral language where appropriate, aiming to be inclusive and respectful of modern sensibilities while remaining faithful to the original texts.
Despite its strengths, the New Century Version has faced some criticism from those who prefer more traditional or literal translations. Critics argue that the dynamic equivalence approach can sometimes result in a loss of nuance and depth found in the original languages. Additionally, some theologians express concern that the simplified language may not fully capture the richness and complexity of certain theological concepts. Nonetheless, the NCV remains a valuable resource for many readers, particularly those seeking a clear and approachable version of the Bible that helps them connect with and understand its timeless messages.