« | Genesis 29 | » |
1 As Jacob continued on his way to the east,
2 he looked out in a field and saw a well where shepherds took their sheep for water. Three flocks of sheep were lying around the well, which was covered with a large rock.
3 Shepherds would roll the rock away when all their sheep had gathered there. Then after the sheep had been watered, the shepherds would roll the rock back over the mouth of the well.
4 Jacob asked the shepherds, "Where are you from?" "We're from Haran," they answered.
5 Then he asked, "Do you know Nahor's grandson Laban?" "Yes we do," they replied.
6 "How is he?" Jacob asked. "He's fine," they answered. "And here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep."
7 Jacob told them, "Look, the sun is still high up in the sky, and it's too early to bring in the rest of the flocks. Water your sheep and take them back to the pasture."
8 But they replied, "We can't do that until they all get here, and the rock has been rolled away from the well."
9 While Jacob was still talking with the men, his cousin Rachel came up with her father's sheep.
10 When Jacob saw her and his uncle's sheep, he rolled the rock away and watered the sheep.
11 He then kissed Rachel and started crying because he was so happy.
12 He told her that he was the son of her aunt Rebekah, and she ran and told her father about him.
13 As soon as Laban heard the news, he ran out to meet Jacob. He hugged and kissed him and brought him to his home, where Jacob told him everything that had happened.
14 Laban said, "You are my nephew, and you are like one of my own family." After Jacob had been there for a month,
15 Laban said to him, "You shouldn't have to work without pay, just because you are a relative of mine. What do you want me to give you?"
16 Laban had two daughters. Leah was older than Rachel, but her eyes didn't sparkle, while Rachel was beautiful and had a good figure.
17 (SEE 29:16)
18 Since Jacob was in love with Rachel, he answered, "If you will let me marry Rachel, I'll work seven years for you."
19 Laban replied, "It's better for me to let you marry Rachel than for someone else to have her. So stay and work for me."
20 Jacob worked seven years for Laban, but the time seemed like only a few days, because he loved Rachel so much.
21 Jacob said to Laban, "The time is up, and I want to marry Rachel now!"
22 So Laban gave a big feast and invited all their neighbors.
23 But that evening he brought Leah to Jacob, who married her and spent the night with her.
24 Laban also gave Zilpah to Leah as her servant woman.
25 The next morning Jacob found out that he had married Leah, and he asked Laban, "Why did you do this to me? Didn't I work to get Rachel? Why did you trick me?"
26 Laban replied, "In our country the older daughter must get married first.
27 After you spend this week with Leah, you may also marry Rachel. But you will have to work for me another seven years."
28 At the end of the week of celebration, Laban let Jacob marry Rachel, and he gave her his servant woman Bilhah. Jacob loved Rachel more than he did Leah, but he had to work another seven years for Laban.
29 (SEE 29:28)
30 (SEE 29:28)
31 The LORD knew that Jacob loved Rachel more than he did Leah, and so he gave children to Leah, but not to Rachel.
32 Leah gave birth to a son and named him Reuben, because she said, "The LORD has taken away my sorrow. Now my husband will love me more than he does Rachel."
33 She had a second son and named him Simeon, because she said, "The LORD has heard that my husband doesn't love me."
34 When Leah's third son was born, she said, "Now my husband will hold me close." So this son was named Levi.
35 She had one more son and named him Judah, because she said, "I'll praise 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.