« | Ezekiel 27 | » |
1 The LORD said:
2 Ezekiel, son of man, sing a funeral song for Tyre,
3 the city that is built along the sea and that trades with nations along the coast. Tell the people of Tyre that the following message is from me: Tyre, you brag about your perfect beauty,
4 and your control of the sea. You are a ship built to perfection.
5 Builders used cypress trees from Mount Hermon to make your planks and a cedar tree from Lebanon for your tall mast.
6 Oak trees from Bashan were shaped into oars; pine trees from Cyprus were cut for your deck, which was then decorated with strips of ivory.
7 The builders used fancy linen from Egypt for your sails, so everyone could see you. Blue and purple cloth from Cyprus was used to shade your deck.
8 Men from Sidon and Arvad did the rowing, and your own skilled workers were the captains.
9 Experienced men from Byblos repaired any damages. Sailors from all over shopped at the stores in your port.
10 Brave soldiers from Persia, Lydia, and Libya served in your navy, protecting you with shields and helmets, and making you famous.
11 Your guards came from Arvad and Cilicia, and men from Gamad stood watch in your towers. With their weapons hung on your walls, your beauty was complete.
12 Merchants from southern Spain traded silver, iron, tin, and lead for your products.
13 The people of Greece, Tubal, and Meshech traded slaves and things made of bronze,
14 and those from Beth-Togarmah traded work horses, war horses, and mules.
15 You also did business with people from Rhodes, and people from nations along the coast gave you ivory and ebony in exchange for your goods.
16 Edom traded emeralds, purple cloth, embroidery, fine linen, coral, and rubies.
17 Judah and Israel gave you their finest wheat, fancy figs, honey, olive oil, and spices in exchange for your merchandise.
18 The people of Damascus saw what you had to offer and brought you wine from Helbon and wool from Zahar.
19 Vedan and Javan near Uzal traded you iron and spices.
20 The people of Dedan supplied you with saddle blankets,
21 while people from Arabia and the rulers of Kedar traded lambs, sheep, and goats.
22 Merchants from Sheba and Raamah gave you excellent spices, precious stones, and gold in exchange for your products.
23 You also did business with merchants from the cities of Haran, Canneh, Eden, Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad,
24 and they gave you expensive clothing, purple and embroidered cloth, brightly colored rugs, and strong rope.
25 Large, seagoing ships carried your goods wherever they needed to go. You were like a ship loaded with heavy cargo
26 and sailing across the sea, but you were wrecked by strong eastern winds.
27 Everything on board was lost-- your valuable cargo, your sailors and carpenters, merchants and soldiers.
28 The shouts of your drowning crew were heard on the shore.
29 Every ship is deserted; rowers and sailors and captains all stand on shore,
30 mourning for you. They show their sorrow by putting dust on their heads and rolling in ashes;
31 they shave their heads and dress in sackcloth as they cry in despair.
32 In their grief they sing a funeral song for you: "Tyre, you were greater than all other cities. But now you lie in silence at the bottom of the sea.
33 "Nations that received your merchandise were always pleased; kings everywhere got rich from your costly goods.
34 But now you are wrecked in the deep sea, with your cargo and crew scattered everywhere.
35 People living along the coast are shocked at the news. Their rulers are horrified, and terror is written across their faces.
36 The merchants of the world can't believe what happened. Your death was gruesome, and you are gone forever."
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.