« | Ezekiel 25 | » |
1 The LORD God said:
2 Ezekiel, son of man, condemn the people of Ammon
3 and tell them: You celebrated when my temple was destroyed, when Israel was defeated, and when my people were taken away as prisoners.
4 Now I am going to let you be conquered by tribes from the eastern desert. They will set up their camps in your land and eat your fruit and drink your milk.
5 Your capital city of Rabbah will be nothing but pastureland for camels, and the rest of the country will be pastures for sheep. Then you will know that I am the LORD God.
6 You hated Israel so much that you clapped and shouted and celebrated.
7 And so I will hand you over to enemies who will rob you. I will completely destroy you. There won't be enough of your people left to be a nation ever again, and you will know that I, the LORD, have done these things.
8 The LORD God said, "The people of Moab thought Judah was no different from any other nation.
9 So I will let Moab's fortress towns along its border be attacked, including Beth-Jeshimoth, Baal-Meon, and Kiriathaim.
10 The same eastern desert tribes that invade Ammon will invade Moab, and just as Ammon will be forgotten forever,
11 Moab will be punished. Then the people there will know that I am the LORD."
12 The LORD God then said, "The people of Edom are guilty of taking revenge on Judah.
13 So I will punish Edom by killing all its people and livestock. It will be an empty wasteland all the way from Teman to Dedan.
14 I will send my own people to take revenge on the Edomites by making them feel my fierce anger. And when I punish them, they will know that I am the LORD God."
15 The LORD God said, "The cruel Philistines have taken revenge on their enemies over and over and have tried to destroy them.
16 Now it's my turn to treat the Philistines as my enemies and to kill everyone living in their towns along the seacoast.
17 In my fierce anger, I will take revenge on them. And when I punish them, they will know that I am the LORD."
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.