« | Judges 10 | » |
1 Tola son of Puah, the son of Dodo, was next after Abimelech. He rose to the occasion to save Israel. He was a man of Issachar. He lived in Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim.
2 He judged Israel for twenty-three years and then died and was buried at Shamir.
3 After him, Jair the Gileadite stepped into leadership. He judged Israel for twenty-two years.
4 He had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys and had thirty towns in Gilead. The towns are still called Jair's Villages.
5 Jair died and was buried in Kamon.
6 And then the People of Israel went back to doing evil in GOD's sight. They worshiped the Baal gods and Ashtoreth goddesses: gods of Aram, Sidon, and Moab; gods of the Ammonites and the Philistines. They just walked off and left GOD, quit worshiping him.
7 And GOD exploded in hot anger at Israel and sold them off to the Philistines and Ammonites, who,
8 beginning that year, bullied and battered the People of Israel mercilessly. For eighteen years they had them under their thumb, all the People of Israel who lived east of the Jordan in the Amorite country of Gilead.
9 Then the Ammonites crossed the Jordan to go to war also against Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim. Israel was in a bad way!
10 The People of Israel cried out to GOD for help: "We've sinned against you! We left our God and worshiped the Baal gods!"
11 GOD answered the People of Israel: "When the Egyptians, Amorites, Ammonites, Philistines, Sidonians--
12 even Amalek and Midian!--oppressed you and you cried out to me for help, I saved you from them.
13 And now you've gone off and betrayed me, worshiping other gods. I'm not saving you anymore.
14 Go ahead! Cry out for help to the gods you've chosen--let them get you out of the mess you're in!"
15 The People of Israel said to GOD: "We've sinned. Do to us whatever you think best, but please, get us out of this!"
16 Then they cleaned house of the foreign gods and worshiped only GOD. And GOD took Israel's troubles to heart.
17 The Ammonites prepared for war, setting camp in Gilead. The People of Israel set their rival camp in Mizpah.
18 The leaders in Gilead said, "Who will stand up for us against the Ammonites? We'll make him head over everyone in Gilead!"
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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.
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