2 Corinthians 1 | » |
1 From Paul, chosen by God to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, and from Timothy, who is also a follower. To God's church in Corinth and to all of God's people in Achaia.
2 I pray that God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!
3 Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! The Father is a merciful God, who always gives us comfort.
4 He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble.
5 We share in the terrible sufferings of Christ, but also in the wonderful comfort he gives.
6 We suffer in the hope that you will be comforted and saved. And because we are comforted, you will also be comforted, as you patiently endure suffering like ours.
7 You never disappoint us. You suffered as much as we did, and we know that you will be comforted as we were.
8 My friends, I want you to know what a hard time we had in Asia. Our sufferings were so horrible and so unbearable that death seemed certain.
9 In fact, we felt sure that we were going to die. But this made us stop trusting in ourselves and start trusting God, who raises the dead to life.
10 God saved us from the threat of death, and we are sure that he will do it again and again.
11 Please help us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks for the blessings we receive in answer to all these prayers.
12 We can be proud of our clear conscience. We have always lived honestly and sincerely, especially when we were with you. And we were guided by God's wonderful kindness instead of by the wisdom of this world.
13 I am not writing anything you cannot read and understand. I hope you will understand it completely,
14 just as you already partly understand us. Then when our Lord Jesus returns, you can be as proud of us as we are of you.
15 I was so sure of your pride in us that I had planned to visit you first of all. In this way you would have the blessing of two visits from me.
16 Once on my way to Macedonia and again on my return from there. Then you could send me on to Judea.
17 Do you think I couldn't make up my mind about what to do? Or do I seem like someone who says "Yes" or "No" simply to please others?
18 God can be trusted, and so can I, when I say that our answer to you has always been "Yes" and never "No."
19 This is because Jesus Christ the Son of God is always "Yes" and never "No." And he is the one that Silas, Timothy, and I told you about.
20 Christ says "Yes" to all of God's promises. That's why we have Christ to say "Amen" for us to the glory of God.
21 And so God makes it possible for you and us to stand firmly together with Christ. God is also the one who chose us
22 and put his Spirit in our hearts to show that we belong only to him.
23 God is my witness that I stayed away from Corinth, just to keep from being hard on you.
24 We are not bosses who tell you what to believe. We are working with you to make you glad, because your faith is strong.
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.