« | Exodus 37 | » |
1 Bezalel built a chest of acacia wood forty-five inches long, twenty-seven inches wide, and twenty-seven inches high.
2 He covered it inside and out with pure gold and put a gold edging around the top.
3 He made four gold rings and fastened one of them to each of the four legs of the chest.
4 Then he made two poles of acacia wood, covered them with gold,
5 and put them through the rings, so the chest could be carried by the poles.
6 The entire lid of the chest, which was also covered with pure gold, was the place of mercy.
7 On each of the two ends of the chest he made a winged creature of hammered gold. They faced each other, and their wings covered the place of mercy.
8 (SEE 37:7)
9 (SEE 37:7)
10 Bezalel built a table of acacia wood thirty-six inches long, eighteen inches wide, and twenty-seven inches high.
11 He covered it with pure gold and put a gold edging around it with a border three inches wide.
12 (SEE 37:11)
13 He made four gold rings and attached one to each of the legs
14 near the edging. The poles for carrying the table were placed through these rings
15 and were made of acacia wood covered with gold.
16 Everything that was to be set on the table was made of pure gold--the bowls, plates, jars, and cups for wine offerings.
17 Bezalel made a lampstand of pure gold. The whole lampstand, including its decorative flowers, was made from a single piece of hammered gold,
18 with three branches on each of its two sides.
19 There were three decorative almond blossoms on each branch
20 and four on the stem.
21 There was also a blossom where each pair of branches came out from the stem.
22 The lampstand, including its branches and decorative flowers, was made from a single piece of hammered pure gold.
23 The lamp and its equipment, including the tongs and trays, were made of about seventy-five pounds of pure gold.
24 (SEE 37:23)
25 For burning incense, Bezalel made an altar of acacia wood. It was eighteen inches square and thirty-six inches high with each of its four corners sticking up like the horn of a bull.
26 He covered it with pure gold and put a gold edging around it.
27 Then below the edging on opposite sides he attached two gold rings through which he put the poles for carrying the altar.
28 These poles were also made of acacia wood and covered with gold.
29 Bezalel mixed the oil for dedication and the sweet-smelling spices for the incense.
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.