« | Isaiah 22 | » |
1 This is a message about Vision Valley: Why are you celebrating on the flat roofs of your houses?
2 Your city is filled with noisy shouts. Those who lie drunk in your streets were not killed in battle.
3 Your leaders ran away, but they were captured without a fight. No matter how far they ran, they were found and caught.
4 Then I said, "Leave me alone! Let me cry bitter tears. My people have been destroyed, so don't try to comfort me."
5 The LORD All-Powerful had chosen a time for noisy shouts and confusion to fill Vision Valley, and for everyone to beg the mountains for help.
6 The people of Elam and Kir attacked with chariots and carried shields.
7 Your most beautiful valleys were covered with chariots; your cities were surrounded by cavalry troops.
8 Judah was left defenseless. At that time you trusted in the weapons you had stored in Forest Palace.
9 You saw the holes in the outer wall of Jerusalem, and you brought water from the lower pool.
10 You counted the houses in Jerusalem and tore down some of them, so you could get stones to repair the city wall.
11 Then you built a large tank between the walls to store the water. But you refused to trust the God who planned this long ago and made it happen.
12 When all of this happened, the LORD All-Powerful told you to weep and mourn, to shave your heads, and wear sackcloth.
13 But instead, you celebrated by feasting on beef and lamb and by drinking wine, because you said, "Let's eat and drink! Tomorrow we may die."
14 The LORD All-Powerful has spoken to me this solemn promise: "I won't forgive them for this, not as long as they live."
15 The LORD All-Powerful is sending you with this message for Shebna, the prime minister:
16 Shebna, what gives you the right to have a tomb carved out of rock in this burial place of royalty? None of your relatives are buried here.
17 You may be powerful, but the LORD is about to snatch you up and throw you away.
18 He will roll you into a ball and throw you into a wide open country, where you will die and your chariots will be destroyed. You're a disgrace to those you serve.
19 The LORD is going to take away your job!
20 He will give your official robes and your authority to his servant Eliakim son of Hilkiah. Eliakim will be like a father to the people of Jerusalem and to the royal family of Judah.
21 (SEE 22:20)
22 The LORD will put him in charge of the key that belongs to King David's family. No one will be able to unlock what he locks, and no one will be able to lock what he unlocks.
23 The LORD will make him as firm in his position as a tent peg hammered in the ground, and Eliakim will bring honor to his family.
24 His children and relatives will be supported by him, like pans hanging from a peg on the wall.
25 That peg is fastened firmly now, but someday it will be shaken loose and fall down. Then everything that was hanging on it will be destroyed. This is what the LORD All-Powerful has promised.
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.