« | Genesis 2 | » |
1 So the heavens and the earth and everything else were created.
2 By the seventh day God had finished his work, and so he rested.
3 God blessed the seventh day and made it special because on that day he rested from his work.
4 That's how God created the heavens and the earth. When the LORD God made the heavens and the earth,
5 no grass or plants were growing anywhere. God had not yet sent any rain, and there was no one to work the land.
6 But streams came up from the ground and watered the earth.
7 The LORD God took a handful of soil and made a man. God breathed life into the man, and the man started breathing.
8 The LORD made a garden in a place called Eden, which was in the east, and he put the man there.
9 The LORD God placed all kinds of beautiful trees and fruit trees in the garden. Two other trees were in the middle of the garden. One of the trees gave life--the other gave the power to know the difference between right and wrong.
10 From Eden a river flowed out to water the garden, then it divided into four rivers.
11 The first one is the Pishon River that flows through the land of Havilah,
12 where pure gold, rare perfumes, and precious stones are found.
13 The second is the Gihon River that winds through Ethiopia.
14 The Tigris River that flows east of Assyria is the third, and the fourth is the Euphrates River.
15 The LORD God put the man in the Garden of Eden to take care of it and to look after it.
16 But the LORD told him, "You may eat fruit from any tree in the garden,
17 except the one that has the power to let you know the difference between right and wrong. If you eat any fruit from that tree, you will die before the day is over!"
18 The LORD God said, "It isn't good for the man to live alone. I need to make a suitable partner for him."
19 So the LORD took some soil and made animals and birds. He brought them to the man to see what names he would give each of them. Then the man named the tame animals and the birds and the wild animals. That's how they got their names. None of these was the right kind of partner for the man.
20 (SEE 2:19)
21 So the LORD God made him fall into a deep sleep, and he took out one of the man's ribs. Then after closing the man's side,
22 the LORD made a woman out of the rib. The LORD God brought her to the man,
23 and the man exclaimed, "Here is someone like me! She is part of my body, my own flesh and bones. She came from me, a man. So I will name her Woman!"
24 That's why a man will leave his own father and mother. He marries a woman, and the two of them become like one person.
25 Although the man and his wife were both naked, they were not ashamed.
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.