« | Jeremiah 13 | » |
1 This is what the LORD said to me: "Go and buy a linen belt and put it round your waist, but do not let it touch water."
2 So I bought a belt, as the LORD directed, and put it round my waist.
3 Then the word of the LORD came to me a second time:
4 "Take the belt you bought and are wearing round your waist, and go now to Perath and hide it there in a crevice in the rocks."
5 So I went and hid it at Perath, as the LORD told me.
6 Many days later the LORD said to me, "Go now to Perath and get the belt I told you to hide there."
7 So I went to Perath and dug up the belt and took it from the place where I had hidden it, but now it was ruined and completely useless.
8 Then the word of the LORD came to me:
9 "This is what the LORD says:`In the same way I will ruin the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem.
10 These wicked people, who refuse to listen to my words, who follow the stubbornness of their hearts and go after other gods to serve and worship them, will be like this belt--completely useless!
11 For as a belt is bound round a man's waist, so I bound the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to me,' declares the LORD,`to be my people for my renown and praise and honour. But they have not listened.'
12 "Say to them:`This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Every wineskin should be filled with wine.' And if they say to you,`Don't we know that every wineskin should be filled with wine?'
13 then tell them,`This is what the LORD says: I am going to fill with drunkenness all who live in this land, including the kings who sit on David's throne, the priests, the prophets and all those living in Jerusalem.
14 I will smash them one against the other, fathers and sons alike, declares the LORD. I will allow no pity or mercy or compassion to keep me from destroying them.'"
15 Hear and pay attention, do not be arrogant, for the LORD has spoken.
16 Give glory to the LORD your God before he brings the darkness, before your feet stumble on the darkening hills. You hope for light, but he will turn it to thick darkness and change it to deep gloom.
17 But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly, overflowing with tears, because the LORD's flock will be taken captive.
18 Say to the king and to the queen mother, "Come down from your thrones, for your glorious crowns will fall from your heads."
19 The cities in the Negev will be shut up, and there will be no-one to open them. All Judah will be carried into exile, carried completely away.
20 Lift up your eyes and see those who are coming from the north. Where is the flock that was entrusted to you, the sheep of which you boasted?
21 What will you say when [the LORD] sets over you those you cultivated as your special allies? Will not pain grip you like that of a woman in labour?
22 And if you ask yourself, "Why has this happened to me?"-- it is because of your many sins that your skirts have been torn off and your body ill-treated.
23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil.
24 "I will scatter you like chaff driven by the desert wind.
25 This is your lot, the portion I have decreed for you," declares the LORD, "because you have forgotten me and trusted in false gods.
26 I will pull up your skirts over your face that your shame may be seen--
27 your adulteries and lustful neighings, your shameless prostitution! I have seen your detestable acts on the hills and in the fields. Woe to you, O Jerusalem! How long will you be unclean?"
The New International Version UK (NIVUK)
The New International Version UK (NIVUK) is a specialized edition of the widely respected New International Version (NIV) Bible tailored for readers in the United Kingdom. First published in 1979, the NIVUK retains the same translation principles and scholarly rigor as the original NIV but incorporates British English spellings, grammar, and idiomatic expressions. This adaptation ensures that the language resonates more naturally with readers in the UK, enhancing their engagement and understanding of the biblical texts.
A significant feature of the NIVUK is its commitment to the principles of "optimal equivalence," which aims to balance word-for-word accuracy with thought-for-thought readability. This translation philosophy strives to remain faithful to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts while conveying the meaning in clear and contemporary British English. The result is a translation that is both reliable for in-depth study and accessible for public reading and personal devotion, appealing to a wide audience across the UK.
The NIVUK also includes various features designed to aid comprehension and deepen the reader’s understanding of the Scriptures. These features include introductions to each book of the Bible, comprehensive cross-references, and explanatory footnotes that provide historical, cultural, and theological context. The NIVUK is available in numerous formats, including study Bibles, devotional editions, and digital versions, catering to the diverse needs and preferences of readers. This versatility makes it a valuable resource for churches, schools, and individuals seeking a clear and accurate translation in British English.
Despite its widespread acceptance and popularity, the NIVUK has faced some criticism, particularly from those who prefer more literal translations. Critics argue that the dynamic equivalence approach, while enhancing readability, can sometimes result in a loss of subtle nuances and interpretative bias. Additionally, the use of gender-inclusive language in certain passages has sparked debate among readers and scholars. Nevertheless, the New International Version UK remains a highly esteemed translation, valued for its balance of accuracy and readability, and its ability to connect with readers in the United Kingdom through familiar language and expressions.