« | Ezekiel 19 | » |
1 Ezekiel, sing a funeral song for two of Israel's leaders:
2 Your mother was a brave lioness who raised her cubs among lions.
3 She taught one of them to hunt, and he learned to eat people.
4 When the nations heard of him, they trapped him in a pit, then they used hooks to drag him to Egypt.
5 His mother waited for him to return. But soon she lost all hope and raised another cub, who also became fierce.
6 He hunted with other lions and learned to eat people.
7 He destroyed fortresses and ruined towns; his mighty roar terrified everyone.
8 Nations plotted to kill him, and people came from all over to spread out a net and catch him in a trap.
9 They put him in a cage and took him to Babylonia. The lion was locked away, so that his mighty roar would never again be heard on Israel's hills.
10 Your mother was a vine growing near a stream. There was plenty of water, so she was filled with branches and with lots of fruit.
11 Her strong branches became symbols of authority, and she was taller than all other trees-- everyone could see how strong and healthy she was.
12 But in anger, I pulled her up by the roots and threw her to the ground, where the scorching desert wind dried out her fruit. Her strong branches wilted and burned up.
13 Then she was planted in a hot, dry desert,
14 where her stem caught fire, and flames burned her branches and fruit. Not one strong branch is left; she is stripped bare. This funeral song must be sung with sorrow.
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.