« | Ezekiel 27 | » |
1 GOD's Message came to me:
2 "You, son of man, raise a funeral song over Tyre.
3 Tell Tyre, gateway to the sea, merchant to the world, trader among the far-off islands, 'This is what GOD, the Master, says: "'You boast, Tyre: "I'm the perfect ship--stately, handsome."
4 You ruled the high seas from a real beauty, crafted to perfection.
5 Your planking came from Mount Hermon junipers. A Lebanon cedar supplied your mast.
6 They made your oars from sturdy Bashan oaks. Cypress from Cyprus inlaid with ivory was used for the decks.
7 Your sail and flag were of colorful embroidered linen from Egypt. Your purple deck awnings also came from Cyprus.
8 Men of Sidon and Arvad pulled the oars. Your seasoned seamen, O Tyre, were the crew.
9 Ship's carpenters were old salts from Byblos. All the ships of the sea and their sailors clustered around you to barter for your goods.
10 "'Your army was composed of soldiers from Paras, Lud, and Put, Elite troops in uniformed splendor. They put you on the map!
11 Your city police were imported from Arvad, Helech, and Gammad. They hung their shields from the city walls, a final, perfect touch to your beauty.
12 "'Tarshish carried on business with you because of your great wealth. They worked for you, trading in silver, iron, tin, and lead for your products.
13 "'Greece, Tubal, and Meshech did business with you, trading slaves and bronze for your products.
14 "'Beth-togarmah traded work horses, war horses, and mules for your products.
15 "'The people of Rhodes did business with you. Many far-off islands traded with you in ivory and ebony.
16 "'Edom did business with you because of all your goods. They traded for your products with agate, purple textiles, embroidered cloth, fine linen, coral, and rubies.
17 "'Judah and Israel did business with you. They traded for your products with premium wheat, millet, honey, oil, and balm.
18 "'Damascus, attracted by your vast array of products and well-stocked warehouses, carried on business with you, trading in wine from Helbon and wool from Zahar.
19 "'Danites and Greeks from Uzal traded with you, using wrought iron, cinnamon, and spices.
20 "'Dedan traded with you for saddle blankets.
21 "'Arabia and all the Bedouin sheiks of Kedar traded lambs, rams, and goats with you.
22 "'Traders from Sheba and Raamah in South Arabia carried on business with you in premium spices, precious stones, and gold.
23 "'Haran, Canneh, and Eden from the east in Assyria and Media traded with you,
24 bringing elegant clothes, dyed textiles, and elaborate carpets to your bazaars.
25 "'The great Tarshish ships were your freighters, importing and exporting. Oh, it was big business for you, trafficking the seaways!
26 "'Your sailors row mightily, taking you into the high seas. Then a storm out of the east shatters your ship in the ocean deep.
27 Everything sinks--your rich goods and products, sailors and crew, ship's carpenters and soldiers, Sink to the bottom of the sea. Total shipwreck.
28 The cries of your sailors reverberate on shore.
29 Sailors everywhere abandon ship. Veteran seamen swim for dry land.
30 They cry out in grief, a choir of bitter lament over you. They smear their faces with ashes,
31 shave their heads, Wear rough burlap, wildly keening their loss.
32 They raise their funeral song: "Who on the high seas is like Tyre!"
33 "'As you crisscrossed the seas with your products, you satisfied many peoples. Your worldwide trade made earth's kings rich.
34 And now you're battered to bits by the waves, sunk to the bottom of the sea, And everything you've bought and sold has sunk to the bottom with you.
35 Everyone on shore looks on in terror. The hair of kings stands on end, their faces drawn and haggard!
36 The buyers and sellers of the world throw up their hands: This horror can't happen! Oh, this has happened!'"
The Message (MSG)
The Message (MSG) is a contemporary, paraphrased translation of the Bible, crafted to bring the scriptures to life in modern, conversational English. Developed by pastor and scholar Eugene H. Peterson, The Message was published in segments starting in 1993, with the complete Bible released in 2002. Peterson’s aim was to make the Bible accessible and engaging for today’s readers, breaking down the barriers posed by traditional, formal language. His work sought to capture the original tone, rhythm, and intent of the biblical texts, presenting them in a way that resonates with contemporary audiences.
One of the defining characteristics of The Message is its use of dynamic equivalence, focusing on conveying the thoughts and meanings behind the original texts rather than adhering to a word-for-word translation. This approach allows for the use of idiomatic expressions and modern phrasing, making the scriptures feel more relatable and immediate. Peterson, who had a deep understanding of both the biblical languages and modern culture, aimed to bridge the gap between the ancient world of the Bible and the everyday experiences of today’s readers.
The Message has been praised for its readability and ability to convey the emotional and narrative elements of the Bible in a fresh, vivid manner. Its accessible language makes it particularly appealing to those who might find traditional translations difficult to understand or intimidating. Many readers appreciate The Message for its ability to make familiar passages feel new and impactful, often shedding light on the scriptures in ways that resonate on a personal level. It is frequently used in personal devotions, group studies, and church services where clarity and relatability are paramount.
Despite its popularity, The Message has faced criticism from some scholars and traditionalists who argue that its paraphrased nature can lead to oversimplification and loss of nuance. Critics contend that in striving for contemporary relevance, The Message sometimes departs too far from the original texts, potentially altering the intended meanings. However, supporters of The Message appreciate its ability to engage modern readers and spark interest in the Bible, seeing it as a valuable tool for evangelism and discipleship. Overall, The Message stands out as a bold and innovative translation that has made a significant impact on how many people experience and understand the Bible.