« | Ezekiel 30 | » |
1 GOD, the Master, spoke to me:
2 "Son of man, preach. Give them the Message of GOD, the Master. Wail:
3 "'Doomsday!' Time's up! GOD's big day of judgment is near. Thick clouds are rolling in. It's doomsday for the nations.
4 Death will rain down on Egypt. Terror will paralyze Ethiopia When they see the Egyptians killed, their wealth hauled off, their foundations demolished,
5 And Ethiopia, Put, Lud, Arabia, Libya --all of Egypt's old allies-- killed right along with them.
6 "'GOD says: "'Egypt's allies will fall and her proud strength will collapse-- From Migdol in the north to Syene in the south, a great slaughter in Egypt! Decree of GOD, the Master.
7 Egypt, most desolate of the desolate, her cities wasted beyond wasting,
8 Will realize that I am GOD when I burn her down and her helpers are knocked flat.
9 "'When that happens, I'll send out messengers by ship to sound the alarm among the easygoing Ethiopians. They'll be terrorized. Egypt's doomed! Judgment's coming!
10 "'GOD, the Master, says: "'I'll put a stop to Egypt's arrogance. I'll use Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to do it.
11 He and his army, the most brutal of nations, shall be used to destroy the country. They'll brandish their swords and fill Egypt with corpses.
12 I'll dry up the Nile and sell off the land to a bunch of crooks. I'll hire outsiders to come in and waste the country, strip it clean. I, GOD, have said so.
13 "'And now this is what GOD, the Master, says: "'I'll smash all the no-god idols; I'll topple all those huge statues in Memphis. The prince of Egypt will be gone for good, and in his place I'll put fear--fear throughout Egypt!
14 I'll demolish Pathros, burn Zoan to the ground, and punish Thebes,
15 Pour my wrath on Pelusium, Egypt's fort, and knock Thebes off its proud pedestal.
16 I'll set Egypt on fire: Pelusium will writhe in pain, Thebes blown away, Memphis raped.
17 The young warriors of On and Pi-beseth will be killed and the cities exiled.
18 A dark day for Tahpanhes when I shatter Egypt, When I break Egyptian power and put an end to her arrogant oppression! She'll disappear in a cloud of dust, her cities hauled off as exiles.
19 That's how I'll punish Egypt, and that's how she'll realize that I am GOD.'"
20 In the eleventh year, on the seventh day of the first month, GOD's Message came to me:
21 "Son of man, I've broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And look! It hasn't been set. No splint has been put on it so the bones can knit and heal, so he can use a sword again.
22 "Therefore, GOD, the Master, says, I am dead set against Pharaoh king of Egypt and will go ahead and break his other arm--both arms broken! There's no way he'll ever swing a sword again.
23 I'll scatter Egyptians all over the world.
24 I'll make the arms of the king of Babylon strong and put my sword in his hand, but I'll break the arms of Pharaoh and he'll groan like one who is mortally wounded.
25 I'll make the arms of the king of Babylon strong, but the arms of Pharaoh shall go limp. The Egyptians will realize that I am GOD when I place my sword in the hand of the king of Babylon. He'll wield it against Egypt
26 and I'll scatter Egyptians all over the world. Then they'll realize that I am GOD."
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.