« | Deuteronomy 6 | » |
1 The LORD told me to give you these laws and teachings, so you can obey them in the land he is giving you. Soon you will cross the Jordan River and take that land.
2 And if you and your descendants want to live a long time, you must always worship the LORD and obey his laws.
3 Pay attention, Israel! Our ancestors worshiped the LORD, and he promised to give us this land that is rich with milk and honey. Be careful to obey him, and you will become a successful and powerful nation.
4 Listen, Israel! The LORD our God is the only true God!
5 So love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.
6 Memorize his laws
7 and tell them to your children over and over again. Talk about them all the time, whether you're at home or walking along the road or going to bed at night, or getting up in the morning.
8 Write down copies and tie them to your wrists and foreheads to help you obey them.
9 Write these laws on the door frames of your homes and on your town gates.
10 The LORD promised your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that he would give you this land. Now he will take you there and give you large towns, with good buildings that you didn't build,
11 and houses full of good things that you didn't put there. The LORD will give you wells that you didn't have to dig, and vineyards and olive orchards that you didn't have to plant. But when you have eaten so much that you can't eat any more,
12 don't forget it was the LORD who set you free from slavery and brought you out of Egypt.
13 Worship and obey the LORD your God with fear and trembling, and promise that you will be loyal to him.
14 Don't have anything to do with gods that are worshiped by the nations around you.
15 If you worship other gods, the LORD will be furious and wipe you off the face of the earth. The LORD your God is with you,
16 so don't try to make him prove that he can help you, as you did at Massah.
17 Always obey the laws that the LORD has given you
18 and live in a way that pleases him. Then you will be able to go in and take this good land from your enemies, just as he promised your ancestors.
19 (SEE 6:18)
20 Someday your children will ask, "Why did the LORD give us these laws and teachings?"
21 Then you will answer: We were slaves of the king of Egypt, but the LORD used his great power and set us free.
22 We saw him perform miracles and make horrible things happen to the king, his officials, and everyone else.
23 The LORD rescued us from Egypt, so he could bring us into this land, as he had promised our ancestors.
24 That's why the LORD our God demands that we obey his laws and worship him with fear and trembling. And if we do, he will protect us and help us be successful.
25 (SEE 6:24)
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.