« | Genesis 13 | » |
1 Abram and Sarai took everything they owned and went to the Southern Desert. Lot went with them.
2 Abram was very rich. He owned many cattle, sheep, and goats, and had a lot of silver and gold.
3 Abram moved from place to place in the Southern Desert. And finally, he went north and set up his tents between Bethel and Ai,
4 where he had earlier camped and built an altar. There he worshiped the LORD.
5 Lot, who was traveling with him, also had sheep, goats, and cattle, as well as his own family and slaves.
6 At this time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were living in the same area, and so there wasn't enough pastureland left for Abram and Lot with all of their animals. Besides this, the men who took care of Abram's animals and the ones who took care of Lot's animals started quarreling.
7 (SEE 13:6)
8 Abram said to Lot, "We are close relatives. We shouldn't argue, and our men shouldn't be fighting one another.
9 There is plenty of land for you to choose from. Let's separate. If you go north, I'll go south; if you go south, I'll go north."
10 This happened before the LORD had destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. And when Lot looked around, he saw there was plenty of water in the Jordan Valley. All the way to Zoar the valley was as green as the garden of the LORD or the land of Egypt.
11 So Lot chose the whole Jordan Valley for himself, and as he started toward the east, he and Abram separated.
12 Abram stayed in the land of Canaan. But Lot settled near the cities of the valley and put up his tents not far from Sodom,
13 where the people were evil and sinned terribly against the LORD.
14 After Abram and Lot had gone their separate ways, the LORD said to Abram: Look around to the north, south, east, and west.
15 I will give you and your family all the land you can see. It will be theirs forever!
16 I will give you more descendants than there are specks of dust on the earth, and someday it will be easier to count the specks of dust than to count your descendants.
17 Now walk back and forth across the land, because I am giving it to you.
18 Abram took down his tents and went to live near the sacred trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar in honor of the LORD.
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.