« | Joel 3 |
1 "In those days and at that time, when I will make things better for Judah and Jerusalem,
2 I will gather all the nations together and bring them down into the Valley Where the Lord Judges. There I will judge them, because those nations scattered my own people Israel and forced them to live in other nations. They divided up my land
3 and threw lots for my people. They traded boys for prostitutes, and they sold girls to buy wine to drink.
4 "Tyre and Sidon and all of you regions of Philistia! What did you have against me? Were you punishing me for something I did, or were you doing something to hurt me? I will very quickly do to you what you have done to me.
5 You took my silver and gold, and you put my precious treasures in your temples.
6 You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks so that you could send them far from their land.
7 "You sent my people to that faraway place, but I will get them and bring them back, and I will do to you what you have done to them.
8 I will sell your sons and daughters to the people of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabean people far away." The Lord said this.
9 Announce this among the nations: Prepare for war! Wake up the soldiers! Let all the men of war come near and attack.
10 Make swords from your plows, and make spears from your hooks for trimming trees. Let even the weak person say, "I am a soldier."
11 All of you nations, hurry, and come together in that place. Lord, send your soldiers to gather the nations.
12 "Wake up, nations, and come to attack in the Valley Where the Lord Judges. There I will sit to judge all the nations on every side.
13 Swing the cutting tool, because the harvest is ripe. Come, walk on them as you would walk on grapes to get their juice, because the winepress is full and the barrels are spilling over, because these people are so evil!"
14 There are huge numbers of people in the Valley of Decision, because the Lord's day of judging is near in the Valley of Decision.
15 The sun and the moon will become dark, and the stars will stop shining.
16 The Lord will roar like a lion from Jerusalem; his loud voice will thunder from that city, and the sky and the earth will shake. But the Lord will be a safe place for his people, a strong place of safety for the people of Israel.
17 "Then you will know that I, the Lord your God, live on my holy Mount Zion. Jerusalem will be a holy place, and strangers will never even go through it again.
18 "On that day wine will drip from the mountains, milk will flow from the hills, and water will run through all the ravines of Judah. and give water to the valley of acacia trees.
19 But Egypt will become empty, and Edom an empty desert, because they were cruel to the people of Judah. They killed innocent people in that land.
20 But there will always be people living in Judah, and people will live in Jerusalem from now on.
21 Egypt and Edom killed my people, so I will definitely punish them."
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.