« | Exodus 40 |
1 The LORD said to Moses:
2 Set up my tent on the first day of the year
3 and put the chest with the Ten Commandments behind the inside curtain of the tent.
4 Bring in the table and set on it those things that are made for it. Also bring in the lampstand and attach the lamps to it.
5 Then place the gold altar of incense in front of the sacred chest and hang a curtain at the entrance to the tent.
6 Set the altar for burning sacrifices in front of the entrance to my tent.
7 Put the large bronze bowl between the tent and the altar and fill the bowl with water.
8 Surround the tent and the altar with the wall of curtains and hang the curtain that was made for the entrance.
9 Use the sacred olive oil to dedicate the tent and everything in it to me.
10 Do the same thing with the altar for offering sacrifices and its equipment
11 and with the bowl and its stand.
12 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent and have them wash themselves.
13 Dress Aaron in the priestly clothes, then use the sacred olive oil to ordain him and dedicate him to me as my priest.
14 Put the priestly robes on Aaron's sons
15 and ordain them in the same way, so they and their descendants will always be my priests.
16 Moses followed the LORD's instructions.
17 And on the first day of the first month of the second year, the sacred tent was set up.
18 The posts, stands, and framework were put in place,
19 then the two layers of coverings were hung over them.
20 The stones with the Ten Commandments written on them were stored in the sacred chest, the place of mercy was put on top of it, and the carrying poles were attached.
21 The chest was brought into the tent and set behind the curtain in the most holy place. These things were done exactly as the LORD had commanded Moses.
22 The table for the sacred bread was put along the north wall of the holy place,
23 after which the bread was set on the table.
24 The lampstand was put along the south wall,
25 then the lamps were attached to it there in the presence of the LORD.
26 The gold incense altar was set up in front of the curtain,
27 and sweet-smelling incense was burned on it. These things were done exactly as the LORD had commanded Moses.
28 The curtain was hung at the entrance to the sacred tent.
29 Then the altar for offering sacrifices was put in front of the tent, and animal sacrifices and gifts of grain were offered there.
30 The large bronze bowl was placed between the altar and the entrance to the tent. It was filled with water,
31 then Moses and Aaron, together with Aaron's sons, washed their hands and feet.
32 In fact, they washed each time before entering the tent or offering sacrifices at the altar. These things were done exactly as the LORD had commanded Moses.
33 Finally, Moses had the curtain hung around the courtyard.
34 Suddenly the sacred tent was covered by a thick cloud and filled with the glory of the LORD.
35 And so, Moses could not enter the tent.
36 Whenever the cloud moved from the tent, the people would break camp and follow;
37 then they would set up camp and stay there, until it moved again.
38 No matter where the people traveled, the LORD was with them. Each day his cloud was over the tent, and each night a fire could be seen in the cloud.
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.