« | 1 Corinthians 11 | » |
1 You must follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
2 I am proud of you, because you always remember me and obey the teachings I gave you.
3 Now I want you to know that Christ is the head over all men, and a man is the head over a woman. But God is the head over Christ.
4 This means that any man who prays or prophesies with something on his head brings shame to his head.
5 But any woman who prays or prophesies without something on her head brings shame to her head. In fact, she may as well shave her head.
6 A woman should wear something on her head. It is a disgrace for a woman to shave her head or cut her hair. But if she refuses to wear something on her head, let her cut off her hair.
7 Men were created to be like God and to bring honor to God. This means that a man should not wear anything on his head. Women were created to bring honor to men.
8 It was the woman who was made from a man, and not the man who was made from a woman.
9 He wasn't created for her. She was created for him.
10 And so, because of this, and also because of the angels, a woman ought to wear something on her head, as a sign of her authority.
11 As far as the Lord is concerned, men and women need each other.
12 It is true that the first woman came from a man, but all other men have been given birth by women. Yet God is the one who created everything.
13 Ask yourselves if it is proper for a woman to pray without something on her head.
14 Isn't it unnatural and disgraceful for men to have long hair?
15 But long hair is a beautiful way for a woman to cover her head.
16 This is how things are done in all of God's churches, and that's why none of you should argue about what I have said.
17 Your worship services do you more harm than good. I am certainly not going to praise you for this.
18 I am told that you can't get along with each other when you worship, and I am sure that some of what I have heard is true.
19 You are bound to argue with each other, but it is easy to see which of you have God's approval.
20 When you meet together, you don't really celebrate the Lord's Supper.
21 You even start eating before everyone gets to the meeting, and some of you go hungry, while others get drunk.
22 Don't you have homes where you can eat and drink? Do you hate God's church? Do you want to embarrass people who don't have anything? What can I say to you? I certainly cannot praise you.
23 I have already told you what the Lord Jesus did on the night he was betrayed. And it came from the Lord himself. He took some bread in his hands.
24 Then after he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is given for you. Eat this and remember me."
25 After the meal, Jesus took a cup of wine in his hands and said, "This is my blood, and with it God makes his new agreement with you. Drink this and remember me."
26 The Lord meant that when you eat this bread and drink from this cup, you tell about his death until he comes.
27 But if you eat the bread and drink the wine in a way that isn't worthy of the Lord, you sin against his body and blood.
28 That's why you must examine the way you eat and drink.
29 If you fail to understand that you are the body of the Lord, you will condemn yourselves by the way you eat and drink.
30 That's why many of you are sick and weak and why a lot of others have died.
31 If we carefully judge ourselves, we won't be punished.
32 But when the Lord judges and punishes us, he does it to keep us from being condemned with the rest of the world.
33 My dear friends, you should wait until everyone gets there before you start eating.
34 If you really are hungry, you can eat at home. Then you won't condemn yourselves when you meet together. After I arrive, I will instruct you about the other matters.
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.