« | Ezekiel 28 | » |
1 The Lord spoke his word to me, saying:
2 "Human, say to the ruler of Tyre: 'This is what the Lord God says: Because you are proud, you say, "I am a god. I sit on the throne of a god in the middle of the seas." You think you are as wise as a god, but you are a human, not a god.
3 You think you are wiser than Daniel. You think you can find out all secrets.
4 Through your wisdom and understanding you have made yourself rich. You have gained gold and silver and have saved it in your storerooms.
5 Through your great skill in trading, you have made your riches grow. You are too proud because of your riches.
6 "'So this is what the Lord God says: You think you are wise like a god,
7 but I will bring foreign people against you, the cruelest nation. They will pull out their swords and destroy all that your wisdom has built, and they will dishonor your greatness.
8 They will kill you; you will die a terrible death like those who are killed at sea.
9 While they are killing you, you will not be able to say anymore, "I am a god." You will be only a human, not a god, when your murderers kill you.
10 You will die like an unclean person; foreigners will kill you. I have spoken, says the Lord God.'"
11 The Lord spoke his word to me, saying:
12 "Human, sing a funeral song for the king of Tyre. Say to him: 'This is what the Lord God says: You were an example of what was perfect, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
13 You had a wonderful life, as if you were in Eden, the garden of God. Every valuable gem was on you: ruby, topaz, and emerald, yellow quartz, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and chrysolite. Your jewelry was made of gold. It was prepared on the day you were created.
14 I appointed a living creature to guard you. I put you on the holy mountain of God. You walked among the gems that shined like fire.
15 Your life was right and good from the day you were created, until evil was found in you.
16 Because you traded with countries far away, you learned to be cruel, and you sinned. So I threw you down in disgrace from the mountain of God. And the living creature who guarded you forced you out from among the gems that shined like fire.
17 You became too proud because of your beauty. You ruined your wisdom because of your greatness. I threw you down to the ground. Your example taught a lesson to other kings.
18 You dishonored your places of worship through your many sins and dishonest trade. So I set on fire the place where you lived, and the fire burned you up. I turned you into ashes on the ground for all those watching to see.
19 All the nations who knew you are shocked about you. Your punishment was so terrible, and you are gone forever.'"
20 The Lord spoke his word to me, saying:
21 "Human, look toward the city of Sidon and prophesy against her.
22 Say: 'This is what the Lord God says: I am against you, Sidon, and I will show my glory among you. when I have punished Sidon; I will show my holiness by defeating her.
23 I will send diseases to Sidon, and blood will flow in her streets. Those who are wounded in Sidon will fall dead, attacked from all sides. Then they will know that I am the Lord.
24 "'No more will neighboring nations be like thorny branches or sharp stickers to hurt Israel. Then they will know that I am the Lord God.
25 "'This is what the Lord God says: I will gather the people of Israel from the nations where they are scattered. I will show my holiness when the nations see what I do for my people. Then they will live in their own land -- the land I gave to my servant Jacob.
26 They will live safely in the land and will build houses and plant vineyards. They will live in safety after I have punished all the nations around who hate them. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God.'"
The New Century Version (NCV)
The New Century Version (NCV) is a contemporary English translation of the Bible designed to be easily understandable and accessible to a broad audience. First published in 1987 by Thomas Nelson, the NCV originated from a project aimed at creating a simplified English translation for children. Over time, the scope of the translation expanded to cater to readers of all ages, including those with limited English proficiency and those new to the Bible. The NCV’s primary goal is to communicate the truths of Scripture in clear, everyday language that resonates with modern readers.
A notable feature of the NCV is its use of dynamic equivalence, or thought-for-thought translation philosophy. This approach prioritizes conveying the meaning and intent of the original texts over maintaining a strict word-for-word correspondence. By doing so, the NCV aims to make the Bible’s messages more relatable and easier to understand, especially for those who may find traditional translations challenging. The translation team worked diligently to balance accuracy with readability, ensuring that the essence of the biblical texts is preserved while making them more accessible to contemporary audiences.
The NCV also includes various study aids and features designed to enhance comprehension and engagement with the biblical text. These include introductions to each book of the Bible, footnotes that provide historical and cultural context, and cross-references that help readers see connections between different parts of Scripture. Additionally, the NCV often employs gender-neutral language where appropriate, aiming to be inclusive and respectful of modern sensibilities while remaining faithful to the original texts.
Despite its strengths, the New Century Version has faced some criticism from those who prefer more traditional or literal translations. Critics argue that the dynamic equivalence approach can sometimes result in a loss of nuance and depth found in the original languages. Additionally, some theologians express concern that the simplified language may not fully capture the richness and complexity of certain theological concepts. Nonetheless, the NCV remains a valuable resource for many readers, particularly those seeking a clear and approachable version of the Bible that helps them connect with and understand its timeless messages.