« | Exodus 25 | » |
1 The LORD said to Moses:
2 Tell everyone in Israel who wants to give gifts that they must bring them to you.
3 Here is a list of what you are to collect: Gold, silver, and bronze;
4 blue, purple, and red wool; fine linen; goat hair;
5 tanned ram skins; fine leather; acacia wood;
6 olive oil for the lamp; sweet-smelling spices to mix with the oil for dedicating the tent and ordaining the priests;
7 and onyx stones for the sacred vest and the breastpiece.
8 I also want them to build a special place where I can live among my people.
9 Make it and its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.
10 Tell the people to build a chest of acacia wood forty-five inches long, twenty-seven inches wide, and twenty-seven inches high.
11 Cover it inside and out with pure gold and put a gold edging around the lid.
12 Make four gold rings and fasten one of them to each of the four legs of the chest.
13 Make two poles of acacia wood. Cover them with gold
14 and put them through the rings, so the chest can be carried by the poles.
15 Don't ever remove the poles from the rings.
16 When I give you the Ten Commandments written on two flat stones, put them inside the chest.
17 Cover the lid of the chest with pure gold.
18 Then hammer out two winged creatures of pure gold and fasten them to the lid at the ends of the chest.
19 (SEE 25:18)
20 The creatures must face each other with their wings spread over the chest.
21 Inside it place the two flat stones with the Ten Commandments and put the gold lid on top of the chest.
22 I will meet you there between the two creatures and tell you what my people must do and what they must not do.
23 Make a table of acacia wood thirty-six inches long, eighteen inches wide, and twenty-seven inches high.
24 Cover it with pure gold and put a gold edging around it with a border three inches wide.
25 (SEE 25:24)
26 Make four gold rings and attach one to each of the legs
27 near the edging. The poles for carrying the table are to be placed through these rings and are to be made of acacia wood covered with gold.
28 (SEE 25:27)
29 The table is to be kept in the holy place, and the sacred loaves of bread must always be put on it. All bowls, plates, jars, and cups for wine offerings are to be made of pure gold and set on this table.
30 (SEE 25:29)
31 Make a lampstand of pure gold. The whole lampstand, including its decorative flowers, must be made from a single piece of hammered gold
32 with three branches on each of its two sides.
33 There are to be three decorative almond blossoms on each branch
34 and four on the stem.
35 There must also be a blossom where each pair of branches comes out from the stem.
36 The lampstand, including its branches and decorative flowers, must be made from a single piece of hammered pure gold.
37 The lamp on the top and those at the end of each of its six branches must be made so as to shine toward the front of the lampstand.
38 The tongs and trays for taking care of the lamps are to be made of pure gold.
39 The lampstand and its equipment will require seventy-five pounds of pure gold,
40 and they must be made according to the pattern I showed you on the mountain.
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.