« | Amos 7 | » |
1 This is what the Lord God showed me: He was forming a swarm of locusts, after the king had taken his share of the first crop and the second crop had just begun growing.
2 When the locusts ate all the crops in the country, I said, "Lord God, forgive us. How could Israel live through this? It is too small already!"
3 So the Lord changed his mind about this. "It will not happen," said the Lord.
4 This is what the Lord God showed me: The Lord God was calling for fire to come down like rain. It burned up the deep water and was going to burn up the land.
5 Then I cried out, "Lord God, stop! How could Israel live through this? It is too small already."
6 So the Lord changed his mind about this too. "It will not happen," said the Lord God.
7 This is what he showed me: The Lord stood by a straight wall, with a plumb line in his hand.
8 The Lord said to me, "Amos, what do you see?" I said, "A plumb line." Then the Lord said, "See, I will put a plumb line among my people Israel to show how crooked they are. I will not look the other way any longer.
9 "The places where Isaac's descendants worship will be destroyed, Israel's holy places will be turned into ruins, and I will attack King Jeroboam's family with the sword."
10 Amaziah, a priest at Bethel, sent this message to Jeroboam king of Israel: "Amos is making evil plans against you with the people of Israel. He has been speaking so much that this land can't hold all his words.
11 This is what Amos has said: 'Jeroboam will die by the sword, and the people of Israel will be taken as captives out of their own country.'"
12 Then Amaziah said to Amos, "Seer, go back right now to Judah. Do your prophesying and earn your living there,
13 but don't prophesy anymore here at Bethel. This is the king's holy place, and it is the nation's temple."
14 Then Amos answered Amaziah, "I do not make my living as a prophet, nor am I a member of a group of prophets. I make my living as a shepherd, and I take care of sycamore trees.
15 But the Lord took me away from tending the flock and said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'
16 So listen to the Lord's word. You tell me, 'Don't prophesy against Israel, and stop prophesying against the descendants of Isaac.'
17 "Because you have said this, the Lord says: 'Your wife will become a prostitute in the city, and your sons and daughters will be killed with swords. Other people will measure your land and divide it among themselves, and you will die in a foreign country. from their own land as captives.'"
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.