« | Exodus 5 | » |
1 Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'Let my people go, so that they may celebrate a festival to me in the wilderness.'"
2 But Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD, that I should heed him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go."
3 Then they said, "The God of the Hebrews has revealed himself to us; let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness to sacrifice to the LORD our God, or he will fall upon us with pestilence or sword."
4 But the king of Egypt said to them, "Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their work? Get to your labors!"
5 Pharaoh continued, "Now they are more numerous than the people of the land and yet you want them to stop working!"
6 That same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people, as well as their supervisors,
7 "You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks, as before; let them go and gather straw for themselves.
8 But you shall require of them the same quantity of bricks as they have made previously; do not diminish it, for they are lazy; that is why they cry, 'Let us go and offer sacrifice to our God.'
9 Let heavier work be laid on them; then they will labor at it and pay no attention to deceptive words."
10 So the taskmasters and the supervisors of the people went out and said to the people, "Thus says Pharaoh, 'I will not give you straw.
11 Go and get straw yourselves, wherever you can find it; but your work will not be lessened in the least.'"
12 So the people scattered throughout the land of Egypt, to gather stubble for straw.
13 The taskmasters were urgent, saying, "Complete your work, the same daily assignment as when you were given straw."
14 And the supervisors of the Israelites, whom Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and were asked, "Why did you not finish the required quantity of bricks yesterday and today, as you did before?"
15 Then the Israelite supervisors came to Pharaoh and cried, "Why do you treat your servants like this?
16 No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, 'Make bricks!' Look how your servants are beaten! You are unjust to your own people."
17 He said, "You are lazy, lazy; that is why you say, 'Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.'
18 Go now, and work; for no straw shall be given you, but you shall still deliver the same number of bricks."
19 The Israelite supervisors saw that they were in trouble when they were told, "You shall not lessen your daily number of bricks."
20 As they left Pharaoh, they came upon Moses and Aaron who were waiting to meet them.
21 They said to them, "The LORD look upon you and judge! You have brought us into bad odor with Pharaoh and his officials, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us."
22 Then Moses turned again to the LORD and said, "O LORD, why have you mistreated this people? Why did you ever send me?
23 Since I first came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has mistreated this people, and you have done nothing at all to deliver your people."
The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) is a highly respected English translation of the Bible that was first published in 1989 by the National Council of Churches. It was developed as an update to the Revised Standard Version (RSV) of 1952, with the goal of incorporating the latest biblical scholarship and addressing changes in the English language. The NRSV is renowned for its accuracy, literary quality, and ecumenical approach, making it a preferred choice for both academic study and liturgical use across various Christian denominations.
One of the primary features of the NRSV is its commitment to being a literal, or word-for-word, translation while also ensuring that the text is clear and comprehensible for modern readers. The translation team, which included scholars from diverse religious backgrounds, aimed to produce a text that faithfully represents the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts. This dedication to precision and clarity makes the NRSV an excellent resource for in-depth study and theological reflection, as it strives to convey the exact meaning of the original texts.
The NRSV is also notable for its inclusive language, which seeks to reflect the diversity of the contemporary Christian community. The translators took great care to avoid gender-specific language when the original texts did not explicitly require it, making the text more inclusive and accessible to all readers. This approach has been particularly appreciated in academic and liturgical settings, where sensitivity to gender and inclusivity are important considerations. The NRSV’s attention to inclusive language helps ensure that all readers can see themselves reflected in the biblical narrative.
Despite its many strengths, the NRSV has faced some criticism, particularly from those who prefer more traditional translations. Critics argue that the use of inclusive language can sometimes lead to interpretations that differ from the original intent of the texts. Additionally, some conservative scholars and readers feel that the NRSV’s ecumenical approach may result in compromises on certain theological nuances. Nonetheless, the New Revised Standard Version remains a highly valued translation, widely used in churches, seminaries, and universities for its scholarly rigor, literary excellence, and commitment to inclusivity.