« | Psalm 106 | » |
1 Praise the LORD! Give thanks to the LORD, because he is good; his love is eternal.
2 Who can tell all the great things he has done? Who can praise him enough?
3 Happy are those who obey his commands, who always do what is right.
4 Remember me, LORD, when you help your people; include me when you save them.
5 Let me see the prosperity of your people and share in the happiness of your nation, in the glad pride of those who belong to you.
6 We have sinned as our ancestors did; we have been wicked and evil.
7 Our ancestors in Egypt did not understand God's wonderful acts; they forgot the many times he showed them his love, and they rebelled against the Almighty at the Red Sea.
8 But he saved them, as he had promised, in order to show his great power.
9 He gave a command to the Red Sea, and it dried up; he led his people across on dry land.
10 He saved them from those who hated them; he rescued them from their enemies.
11 But the water drowned their enemies; not one of them was left.
12 Then his people believed his promises and sang praises to him.
13 But they quickly forgot what he had done and acted without waiting for his advice.
14 They were filled with craving in the desert and put God to the test;
15 so he gave them what they asked for, but also sent a terrible disease among them.
16 There in the desert they were jealous of Moses and of Aaron, the LORD's holy servant.
17 Then the earth opened up and swallowed Dathan and buried Abiram and his family;
18 fire came down on their followers and burned up those wicked people.
19 They made a gold bull-calf at Sinai and worshiped that idol;
20 they exchanged the glory of God for the image of an animal that eats grass.
21 They forgot the God who had saved them by his mighty acts in Egypt.
22 What wonderful things he did there! What amazing things at the Red Sea!
23 When God said that he would destroy his people, his chosen servant, Moses, stood up against God and kept his anger from destroying them.
24 Then they rejected the pleasant land, because they did not believe God's promise.
25 They stayed in their tents and grumbled and would not listen to the LORD.
26 So he have them a solomn warning that he would make them die in the desert
27 and scatter their descendants among the heathen, letting them die in foreign countries.
28 Then at Peor, God's people joined in the worship of Baal and ate sacrifices offered to dead gods.
29 They stirred up the LORD's anger by their actions, and a terrible disease broke out among them.
30 But Phinehas stood up and punished the guilty, and the plague was stopped.
31 This has been remembered in his favor ever since and will be for all time to come.
32 At the springs of Meribah the people made the LORD angry, and Moses was in trouble on their account.
33 They made him so bitter that he spoke without stopping to think.
34 They did not kill the heathen, as the LORD had commanded them to do,
35 but they intermarried with them and adopted their pagan ways.
36 God's people worshiped idols, and this caused their destruction.
37 They offered their own sons and daughters as sacrifices to the idols of Canaan.
38 They killed those innocent children, and the land was defiled by those murders.
39 They made themselves impure by their actions and were unfaithful to God.
40 So the LORD was angry with his people; he was disgusted with them.
41 He abandoned them to the power of the heathen, and their enemies ruled over them.
42 They were oppressed by their enemies and were in complete subjection to them.
43 Many times the LORD rescued his people, but they chose to rebel against him and sank deeper into sin.
44 Yet the LORD heard them when they cried out, and he took notice of their distress.
45 For their sake he remembered his covenant, and because of his great love he relented.
46 He made all their oppressors feel sorry for them.
47 Save us, O LORD our God, and bring us back from among the nations, so that we may be thankful and praise your holy name.
48 Praise the LORD, the God of Israel; praise him now and forever! Let everyone say, "Amen!" Praise the LORD!
The Good News Bible (GNB)
The Good News Bible (GNB), also known as the Good News Translation (GNT) in the United States, is an English translation of the Bible that prioritizes readability and accessibility for a diverse audience. First published in 1966 by the American Bible Society, the GNB was originally designed as a translation for people with limited English proficiency, including non-native speakers and those with lower literacy levels. Its straightforward and contemporary language makes it particularly effective for use in educational settings, churches, and personal study.
One of the hallmark features of the Good News Bible is its dynamic equivalence translation philosophy, which focuses on conveying the thought and meaning of the original texts rather than adhering strictly to a word-for-word approach. This allows the translators to use idiomatic expressions and familiar language that resonate with modern readers. The GNB aims to present the Bible in a way that is relatable and engaging, making it easier for readers to connect with the biblical stories and teachings without getting bogged down by archaic language or complex theological terminology.
In addition to its clear language, the Good News Bible includes helpful illustrations, maps, and notes that enhance the reader’s understanding of the text. The translation is structured to facilitate comprehension, often breaking up longer passages into shorter paragraphs and sections. This visual organization aids readers in navigating the biblical narrative and understanding the context of various stories and teachings. The GNB also includes helpful footnotes that provide additional information and insights into specific verses, making it a valuable resource for study and reflection.
Despite its strengths, the Good News Bible has faced criticism from some scholars and traditionalists who prefer more literal translations. Critics argue that the dynamic equivalence approach can lead to a loss of nuance and depth present in the original languages. Additionally, some readers express concern that the GNB’s simplified language may not adequately convey the richness of the biblical text. However, the Good News Bible remains a widely used and appreciated translation, particularly for its commitment to making the scriptures accessible to all, allowing readers from various backgrounds to engage with and understand the timeless messages of the Bible.