« | Numbers 30 | » |
1 Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the People of Israel: "This is what GOD commands:
2 When a man makes a vow to GOD or binds himself by an oath to do something, he must not break his word; he must do exactly what he has said.
3 "When a woman makes a vow to GOD and binds herself by a pledge as a young girl still living in her father's house,
4 and her father hears of her vow or pledge but says nothing to her, then she has to make good on all her vows and pledges.
5 But if her father holds her back when he hears of what she has done, none of her vows and pledges are valid. GOD will release her since her father held her back.
6 "If she marries after she makes a vow or has made some rash promise or pledge,
7 and her husband hears of it but says nothing to her, then she has to make good on whatever she vowed or pledged.
8 But if her husband intervenes when he hears of it, he cancels the vow or rash promise that binds her. And GOD will release her.
9 "Any vow or pledge taken by a widow or divorced woman is binding on her.
10 "When a woman who is living with her husband makes a vow or takes a pledge under oath
11 and her husband hears about it but says nothing and doesn't say she can't do it, then all her vows and pledges are valid.
12 But if her husband cancels them when he hears about them, then none of the vows and pledges that she made are binding. Her husband has canceled them and GOD will release her.
13 Any vow and pledge that she makes that may be to her detriment can be either affirmed or annulled by her husband.
14 But if her husband is silent and doesn't speak up day after day, he confirms her vows and pledges--she has to make good on them. By saying nothing to her when he hears of them, he binds her to them.
15 If, however, he cancels them sometime after he hears of them, he takes her guilt on himself."
16 These are the rules that GOD gave Moses regarding conduct between a man and his wife and between a father and his young daughter who is still living at home.
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.
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