« | Isaiah 23 | » |
1 Wail, ships of Tarshish, your strong seaports all in ruins! When the ships returned from Cyprus, they saw the destruction.
2 Hold your tongue, you who live on the seacoast, merchants of Sidon. Your people sailed the deep seas, buying and selling,
3 Making money on wheat from Shihor, grown along the Nile-- multinational broker in grains!
4 Hang your head in shame, Sidon. The Sea speaks up, the powerhouse of the ocean says, "I've never had labor pains, never had a baby, never reared children to adulthood, Never gave life, never worked with life. It was all numbers, dead numbers, profit and loss."
5 When Egypt gets the report on Tyre, what wailing! what wringing of hands!
6 Visit Tarshish, you who live on the seacoast. Take a good, long look and wail--yes, cry buckets of tears!
7 Is this the city you remember as energetic and alive, bustling with activity, this historic old city, Expanding throughout the globe, buying and selling all over the world?
8 And who is behind the collapse of Tyre, the Tyre that controlled the world markets? Tyre's merchants were the business tycoons. Tyre's traders called all the shots.
9 GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies ordered the crash to show the sordid backside of pride and puncture the inflated reputations.
10 Sail for home, O ships of Tarshish. There are no docks left in this harbor.
11 GOD reached out to the sea and sea traders, threw the sea kingdoms into turmoil. GOD ordered the destruction of the seacoast cities, the centers of commerce.
12 GOD said, "There's nothing left here to be proud of, bankrupt and bereft Sidon. Do you want to make a new start in Cyprus? Don't count on it. Nothing there will work out for you either."
13 Look at what happened to Babylon: There's nothing left of it. Assyria turned it into a desert, into a refuge for wild dogs and stray cats. They brought in their big siege engines, tore down the buildings, and left nothing behind but rubble.
14 Wail, ships of Tarshish, your strong seaports all in ruins!
15 For the next seventy years, a king's lifetime, Tyre will be forgotten. At the end of the seventy years, Tyre will stage a comeback, but it will be the comeback of a worn-out whore, as in the song:
16 "Take a harp, circle the city, unremembered whore. Sing your old songs, your many old songs. Maybe someone will remember."
17 At the end of the seventy years, GOD will look in on Tyre. She'll go back to her old whoring trade, selling herself to the highest bidder, doing anything with anyone--promiscuous with all the kingdoms of earth--for a fee.
18 But everything she gets, all the money she takes in, will be turned over to GOD. It will not be put in banks. Her profits will be put to the use of GOD-Aware, GOD-Serving-People, providing plenty of food and the best of clothing.
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.