« | Ezekiel 7 | » |
1 Then this message came to me from the LORD:
2 "Son of man, this is what the Sovereign LORD says to Israel: "The end is here! Wherever you look-- east, west, north, or south-- your land is finished.
3 No hope remains, for I will unleash my anger against you. I will call you to account for all your detestable sins.
4 I will turn my eyes away and show no pity. I will repay you for all your detestable sins. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
5 "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Disaster after disaster is coming your way!
6 The end has come. It has finally arrived. Your final doom is waiting!
7 O people of Israel, the day of your destruction is dawning. The time has come; the day of trouble is near. Shouts of anguish will be heard on the mountains, not shouts of joy.
8 Soon I will pour out my fury on you and unleash my anger against you. I will call you to account for all your detestable sins.
9 I will turn my eyes away and show no pity. I will repay you for all your detestable sins. Then you will know that it is I, the LORD, who is striking the blow.
10 "The day of judgment is here; your destruction awaits! The people's wickedness and pride have blossomed to full flower.
11 Their violence has grown into a rod that will beat them for their wickedness. None of these proud and wicked people will survive. All their wealth and prestige will be swept away.
12 Yes, the time has come; the day is here! Buyers should not rejoice over bargains, nor sellers grieve over losses, for all of them will fall under my terrible anger.
13 Even if the merchants survive, they will never return to their business. For what God has said applies to everyone-- it will not be changed! Not one person whose life is twisted by sin will ever recover.
14 "The trumpet calls Israel's army to mobilize, but no one listens, for my fury is against them all.
15 There is war outside the city and disease and famine within. Those outside the city walls will be killed by enemy swords. Those inside the city will die of famine and disease.
16 The survivors who escape to the mountains will moan like doves, weeping for their sins.
17 Their hands will hang limp, their knees will be weak as water.
18 They will dress themselves in burlap; horror and shame will cover them. They will shave their heads in sorrow and remorse.
19 "They will throw their money in the streets, tossing it out like worthless trash. Their silver and gold won't save them on that day of the LORD's anger. It will neither satisfy nor feed them, for their greed can only trip them up.
20 They were proud of their beautiful jewelry and used it to make detestable idols and vile images. Therefore, I will make all their wealth disgusting to them.
21 I will give it as plunder to foreigners, to the most wicked of nations, and they will defile it.
22 I will turn my eyes from them as these robbers invade and defile my treasured land.
23 "Prepare chains for my people, for the land is bloodied by terrible crimes. Jerusalem is filled with violence.
24 I will bring the most ruthless of nations to occupy their homes. I will break down their proud fortresses and defile their sanctuaries.
25 Terror and trembling will overcome my people. They will look for peace but not find it.
26 Calamity will follow calamity; rumor will follow rumor. They will look in vain for a vision from the prophets. They will receive no teaching from the priests and no counsel from the leaders.
27 The king and the prince will stand helpless, weeping in despair, and the people's hands will tremble with fear. I will bring on them the evil they have done to others, and they will receive the punishment they so richly deserve. Then they will know that I am the LORD."
The New Living Translation (NLT)
The New Living Translation (NLT) is a modern English translation of the Bible that aims to make the Scriptures accessible and engaging for contemporary readers. First published in 1996 by Tyndale House Publishers, the NLT was conceived as an effort to create a translation that combines both accuracy and readability. Unlike many other translations that focus on a word-for-word rendering of the original texts, the NLT employs a thought-for-thought translation philosophy, also known as dynamic equivalence. This approach prioritizes conveying the meaning and message of the original texts in a way that is natural and understandable in modern English.
One of the defining features of the NLT is its commitment to clarity and simplicity. The translators, a team of over 90 evangelical scholars, aimed to create a text that would be approachable for a wide audience, including those who may find traditional translations challenging to read. The NLT’s language is contemporary and conversational, making it particularly effective for public reading, teaching, and personal study. This emphasis on readability helps ensure that the profound messages of the Bible are easily grasped and retained by readers from various backgrounds and levels of biblical knowledge.
The NLT also incorporates a rich array of study aids designed to enhance the reader’s understanding of the biblical text. These include book introductions, footnotes, cross-references, and explanatory notes that provide historical, cultural, and theological context. These features are particularly useful for readers who seek a deeper comprehension of the Scriptures and their application to modern life. The translation also includes clear and concise headings that help guide readers through the narrative and thematic structure of each book, making it easier to follow and comprehend the overall message.
Despite its many strengths, the New Living Translation has faced some criticism, particularly from those who favor more literal translations. Critics argue that the dynamic equivalence approach, while making the text more readable, can sometimes result in a loss of the precise nuances and literary qualities of the original languages. Some scholars believe that certain theological concepts might be oversimplified in the process of making the text more accessible. Nevertheless, the NLT remains one of the most popular and widely used translations today, valued for its readability, clarity, and ability to convey the timeless truths of the Bible in a way that resonates with contemporary readers.