« | Ezekiel 25 | » |
1 THE WORD of the Lord came again to me, saying,
2 Son of man, set your face toward the Ammonites and prophesy against them.
3 And say to the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord God, for thus says the Lord God: Because you said Aha! over My sanctuary when it was profaned and over the land of Israel when it was made desolate and over the house of Judah when it went into captivity and exile,
4 Therefore behold, I am delivering you to the people of the East for a possession, and they shall set their encampments among you and make their dwellings in your midst; they shall eat your fruit and they shall drink your milk.
5 And I will make Rabbah [your chief city] a stable for camels and [the cities of] the Ammonites a fold for flocks. And you shall know (understand and realize) that I am the Lord [the Sovereign Ruler, Who calls forth loyalty and obedient service].
6 For thus says the Lord God: Because you have clapped your hands and stamped with the feet and rejoiced [in heart] with all the contempt, malice, and spite that is in you against the land of Israel,
7 Therefore behold, I have stretched out My hand against you and will hand you over for a prey and a spoil to the nations, and I will cut you off from the peoples and will cause you to perish and be lost out of the countries; I will destroy you. Then will you know (understand and realize) that I am the Lord [the Sovereign Ruler, Who calls forth loyalty and obedient service]. [Jer. 49:1-6; Ezek. 21:28-32; Amos 1:13-15; Zeph. 2:8-11.]
8 Thus says the Lord God: Because Moab says, as does Seir [Edom], Behold, the house of Judah is like all the [heathen] nations,
9 Therefore behold, I will lay open the flank of Moab from the cities, from its cities on its frontiers and in every quarter, the glory of the country, Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon, and Kiriathaim.
10 I will give it along with the children of Ammon to the people of the East for a possession, that it and the children of Ammon may not be [any more seriously] remembered among the nations.
11 And I will execute judgments and punishments upon Moab, and they shall know (understand and realize) that I am the Lord [the Sovereign Ruler, Who calls forth loyalty and obedient service]. [Isa. 15, 16; Jer. 48; Amos 2:1-3; Zeph. 2:8-11.]
12 Thus says the Lord God: Because Edom has dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance and has greatly offended and has become doubly guilty by taking revenge upon them,
13 Therefore thus says the Lord God: I will also stretch out My hand against Edom and will cut off and root out man and beast from it, and I will make it desolate; from Teman even to Dedan they shall fall by the sword.
14 And I will lay My vengeance upon Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they shall do upon Edom according to My anger and according to My wrath, and they shall know My vengeance, says the Lord God. [Isa. 34; Ezek. 35; Amos 1:11, 12; Obad.]
15 Thus says the Lord God: Because the Philistines have dealt revengefully and have taken vengeance contemptuously, with malice and spite in their hearts, to destroy in perpetual enmity,
16 Therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will stretch out My hand against the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethites [an immigration in Philistia] and destroy the remainder of the seacoast.
17 And I will execute great vengeance upon them with wrathful rebukes and chastisements, and they shall know (understand and realize) that I am the Lord, when I lay My vengeance upon them. [Isa. 14:29-31; Jer. 47; Amos 1:6-8; Zeph. 2:4-7; Zech. 9:5-7.]
The Amplified Bible (AMP)
The Amplified Bible (AMP) is a unique translation of the Bible that aims to provide a richer and deeper understanding of the scriptures by incorporating various shades of meaning found in the original languages. First published in 1965, the AMP was developed by The Lockman Foundation and its team of scholars, who sought to expand on the text by including additional words and phrases within brackets and parentheses. These amplifications are intended to clarify and explain the nuances of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek words, offering readers a more comprehensive view of the biblical text.
One of the defining features of the Amplified Bible is its use of multiple English words to translate single Hebrew or Greek terms. This approach acknowledges that no single English word can fully capture the breadth of meaning contained in the original languages. By providing synonyms and explanatory phrases, the AMP helps readers grasp the fuller implications of the text, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of the scriptures. This makes the AMP particularly valuable for in-depth Bible study, as it opens up the text in a way that more concise translations might not.
The Amplified Bible also pays careful attention to the context in which words are used. The amplifications often reflect the cultural, historical, and theological background of the passages, offering insights into how the original audience might have understood the text. This contextual sensitivity helps modern readers bridge the gap between the ancient world and contemporary times, making the Bible messages more relatable and accessible. The comprehensive approach of AMP is especially helpful for those new to biblical studies, as well as for seasoned scholars looking for a fresh perspective.
While the Amplified Bible is widely appreciated for its depth and clarity, it has faced some criticism for its interpretive nature. Some readers and scholars argue that the extensive use of amplifications can lead to a cluttered and sometimes overwhelming reading experience. Additionally, there is a concern that the interpretive additions might sway readers toward particular theological viewpoints. Despite these critiques, the Amplified Bible remains a popular and respected translation, valued for its ability to enrich the reader in understanding of the scriptures and to illuminate the multifaceted meanings contained within the biblical text.