« | Amos 5 | » |
1 Listen, nation of Israel, to my mournful message:
2 You, dearest Israel, have fallen, never to rise again-- you lie deserted in your own land, with no one to help you up.
3 The LORD God has warned, "From every ten soldiers only one will be left; from a thousand troops, only a hundred will survive."
4 The LORD keeps saying, "Israel, turn back to me and you will live!
5 Don't go to Gilgal or Bethel or even to Beersheba. Gilgal will be dragged away, and Bethel will end up as nothing."
6 Turn back to the LORD, you descendants of Joseph, and you will live. If you don't, the LORD will attack like fire. Bethel will burn to the ground, and no one can save it.
7 You people are doomed! You twist the truth and stomp on justice.
8 But the LORD created the stars and put them in place. He turns darkness to dawn and daylight to darkness; he scoops up the ocean and empties it on the earth.
9 God destroys mighty soldiers and strong fortresses.
10 You people hate judges and honest witnesses;
11 you abuse the poor and demand heavy taxes from them. You have built expensive homes, but you won't enjoy them; you have planted vineyards, but you will get no wine.
12 I am the LORD, and I know your terrible sins. You cheat honest people and take bribes; you rob the poor of justice.
13 Times are so evil that anyone with good sense will keep quiet.
14 If you really want to live, you must stop doing wrong and start doing right. I, the LORD God All-Powerful, will then be on your side, just as you claim I am.
15 Choose good instead of evil! See that justice is done. Maybe I, the LORD All-Powerful, will be kind to what's left of your people.
16 This is what the LORD has sworn: Noisy crying will be heard in every town and street. Even farmers will be told to mourn for the dead, together with those who are paid to mourn.
17 Your vineyards will be filled with crying and weeping, because I will punish you. I, the LORD, have spoken!
18 You look forward to the day when the LORD comes to judge. But you are in for trouble! It won't be a time of sunshine; all will be darkness.
19 You will run from a lion, only to meet a bear. You will escape to your house, rest your hand on the wall, and be bitten by a snake.
20 The day when the LORD judges will be dark, very dark, without a ray of light.
21 I, the LORD, hate and despise your religious celebrations and your times of worship.
22 I won't accept your offerings or animal sacrifices-- not even your very best.
23 No more of your noisy songs! I won't listen when you play your harps.
24 But let justice and fairness flow like a river that never runs dry.
25 Israel, for forty years you wandered in the desert, without bringing offerings or sacrifices to me.
26 Now you will have to carry the two idols you made-- Sakkuth, the one you call king, and Kaiwan, the one you built in the shape of a star.
27 I will force you to march as captives beyond Damascus. I, the LORD God All-Powerful, have spoken!
The Contemporary English Version (CEV)
The Contemporary English Version (CEV) is a modern Bible translation that aims to make the scriptures accessible and understandable to a broad audience, including children and those with limited English proficiency. Published by the American Bible Society in 1995, the CEV emphasizes clarity, readability, and ease of comprehension. Unlike more literal translations, the CEV uses a thought-for-thought translation philosophy, which focuses on conveying the original meaning of the text in a way that is clear and straightforward for contemporary readers.
One of the key features of the CEV is its use of everyday language and simple sentence structures. The translators avoided theological jargon and archaic terms, instead opting for language that is commonly used in daily conversation. This makes the CEV particularly well-suited for public reading, educational settings, and outreach programs where the audience might not be familiar with traditional biblical language. The translation strives to communicate the essence of the biblical message without the barriers that complex language can sometimes create.
The CEV also pays special attention to cultural sensitivity and inclusivity. The translators sought to avoid expressions and idioms that might be misunderstood or offensive in different cultural contexts. Additionally, the CEV includes gender-neutral language where appropriate, aiming to make the text more inclusive while still remaining faithful to the original manuscripts. This approach helps ensure that Bible teachings are accessible to a diverse global audience, promoting understanding and acceptance across different cultures and communities.
Despite its strengths, the CEV has faced some criticism from those who prefer more literal translations. Critics argue that the CEV emphasises on simplicity and readability which can sometimes result in a loss of nuance and depth found in the original languages. Some theologians and scholars believe that the thought-for-thought approach may oversimplify complex theological concepts. Nevertheless, the Contemporary English Version remains a valuable resource for many readers, offering a clear and approachable rendition of the Bible that is particularly effective for those new to the scriptures or those seeking a more accessible way to engage with the biblical text.