Obadiah 1 |
1 The LORD God gave Obadiah a message about Edom, and this is what we heard: "I, the LORD, have sent a messenger with orders for the nations to attack Edom."
2 The LORD said to Edom: I will make you the weakest and most despised nation.
3 You live in a mountain fortress, because your pride makes you feel safe from attack, but you are mistaken.
4 I will still bring you down, even if you fly higher than an eagle or nest among the stars. I, the LORD, have spoken!
5 If thieves break in at night, they steal only what they want. And people who harvest grapes always leave some unpicked. But, Edom, you are doomed!
6 Everything you treasure most will be taken from you.
7 Your allies can't be trusted. They will force you out of your own country. Your best friends will trick and trap you, even before you know it.
8 Edom, when this happens, I, the LORD, will destroy all your marvelous wisdom.
9 Warriors from the city of Teman will be terrified, and you descendants of Esau will be wiped out.
10 You were cruel to your relatives, the descendants of Jacob. Now you will be destroyed, disgraced forever.
11 You stood there and watched as foreigners entered Jerusalem and took what they wanted. In fact, you were no better than those foreigners.
12 Why did you celebrate when such a dreadful disaster struck your relatives? Why were you so pleased when everyone in Judah was suffering?
13 They are my people, and you were cruel to them. You went through their towns, sneering and stealing whatever was left.
14 In their time of torment, you ambushed refugees and handed them over to their attackers.
15 The day is coming when I, the LORD, will judge the nations. And, Edom, you will pay in full for what you have done.
16 I forced the people of Judah to drink the wine of my anger on my sacred mountain. Soon the neighboring nations must drink their fill-- then vanish without a trace.
17 The LORD's people who escape will go to Mount Zion, and it will be holy. Then Jacob's descendants will capture the land of those who took their land.
18 Israel will be a fire, and Edom will be straw going up in flames. The LORD has spoken!
19 The people of Israel who live in the Southern Desert will take the land of Edom. Those who live in the hills will capture Philistia, Ephraim, and Samaria. And the tribe of Benjamin will conquer Gilead.
20 Those who return from captivity will control Phoenicia as far as Zarephath. Captives from Jerusalem who were taken to Sepharad will capture the towns of the Southern Desert.
21 Those the LORD has saved will live on Mount Zion and rule over Edom. Then the kingdom will belong to the LORD.
The Contemporary English Version (CEV)
The Contemporary English Version (CEV) is a modern Bible translation that aims to make the scriptures accessible and understandable to a broad audience, including children and those with limited English proficiency. Published by the American Bible Society in 1995, the CEV emphasizes clarity, readability, and ease of comprehension. Unlike more literal translations, the CEV uses a thought-for-thought translation philosophy, which focuses on conveying the original meaning of the text in a way that is clear and straightforward for contemporary readers.
One of the key features of the CEV is its use of everyday language and simple sentence structures. The translators avoided theological jargon and archaic terms, instead opting for language that is commonly used in daily conversation. This makes the CEV particularly well-suited for public reading, educational settings, and outreach programs where the audience might not be familiar with traditional biblical language. The translation strives to communicate the essence of the biblical message without the barriers that complex language can sometimes create.
The CEV also pays special attention to cultural sensitivity and inclusivity. The translators sought to avoid expressions and idioms that might be misunderstood or offensive in different cultural contexts. Additionally, the CEV includes gender-neutral language where appropriate, aiming to make the text more inclusive while still remaining faithful to the original manuscripts. This approach helps ensure that Bible teachings are accessible to a diverse global audience, promoting understanding and acceptance across different cultures and communities.
Despite its strengths, the CEV has faced some criticism from those who prefer more literal translations. Critics argue that the CEV emphasises on simplicity and readability which can sometimes result in a loss of nuance and depth found in the original languages. Some theologians and scholars believe that the thought-for-thought approach may oversimplify complex theological concepts. Nevertheless, the Contemporary English Version remains a valuable resource for many readers, offering a clear and approachable rendition of the Bible that is particularly effective for those new to the scriptures or those seeking a more accessible way to engage with the biblical text.