« | Ecclesiastes 10 | » |
1 A few dead flies in perfume make all of it stink, and a little foolishness outweighs a lot of wisdom.
2 Sensible thoughts lead you to do right; foolish thoughts lead you to do wrong.
3 Fools show their stupidity by the way they live; it's easy to see they have no sense.
4 Don't give up your job when your boss gets angry. If you stay calm, you'll be forgiven.
5 Some things rulers do are terribly unfair:
6 They honor fools, but dishonor the rich;
7 they let slaves ride on horses, but force slave owners to walk.
8 If you dig a pit, you might fall in; if you break down a wall, a snake might bite you.
9 You could even get hurt by chiseling a stone or chopping a log.
10 If you don't sharpen your ax, it will be harder to use; if you are smart, you'll know what to do.
11 The power to charm a snake does you no good if it bites you anyway.
12 If you talk sensibly, you will have friends; if you talk foolishly, you will destroy yourself.
13 Fools begin with nonsense, and their stupid chatter ends with disaster.
14 They never tire of talking, but none of us really know what the future will bring.
15 Fools wear themselves out-- they don't know enough to find their way home.
16 A country is in for trouble when its ruler is childish, and its leaders party all day long.
17 But a nation will prosper when its ruler is mature, and its leaders don't party too much.
18 Some people are too lazy to fix a leaky roof-- then the house falls in.
19 Eating and drinking make you feel happy, and bribes can buy everything you need.
20 Don't even think about cursing the king; don't curse the rich, not even in secret. A little bird might hear and tell everything.
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.