« | Genesis 5 | » |
1 God created men and women to be like himself. He gave them his blessing and called them human beings. This is a list of the descendants of Adam, the first man:
2 (SEE 5:1)
3 When Adam was one hundred thirty, he had a son who was just like him, and he named him Seth. Adam had more children
4 (SEE 5:3)
5 and died at the age of nine hundred thirty.
6 When Seth was one hundred five, he had a son named Enosh.
7 Seth had more children
8 and died at the age of nine hundred twelve.
9 When Enosh was ninety, he had a son named Kenan.
10 Enosh had more children
11 and died at the age of nine hundred five.
12 When Kenan was seventy, he had a son named Mahalalel.
13 Kenan had more children
14 and died at the age of nine hundred ten.
15 When Mahalalel was sixty-five, he had a son named Jared.
16 Mahalalel had more children
17 and died at the age of eight hundred ninety-five.
18 When Jared was one hundred sixty-two, he had a son named Enoch.
19 Jared had more children
20 and died at the age of nine hundred sixty-two.
21 When Enoch was sixty-five, he had a son named Methuselah,
22 and during the next three hundred years he had more children. Enoch truly loved God,
23 and God took him away at the age of three hundred sixty-five.
24 (SEE 5:23)
25 When Methuselah was one hundred eighty-seven, he had a son named Lamech.
26 Methuselah had more children
27 and died at the age of nine hundred sixty-nine.
28 When Lamech was one hundred eighty-two, he had a son.
29 Lamech said, "I'll name him Noah because he will give us comfort, as we struggle hard to make a living on this land that the LORD has put under a curse."
30 Lamech had more children
31 and died at the age of seven hundred seventy-seven.
32 After Noah was five hundred years old, he had three sons and named them Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
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.