Habakkuk 1 | » |
1 I am Habakkuk the prophet. And this is the message that the LORD gave me.
2 Our LORD, how long must I beg for your help before you listen? How long before you save us from all this violence?
3 Why do you make me watch such terrible injustice? Why do you allow violence, lawlessness, crime, and cruelty to spread everywhere?
4 Laws cannot be enforced; justice is always the loser; criminals crowd out honest people and twist the laws around.
5 Look and be amazed at what's happening among the nations! Even if you were told, you would never believe what's taking place now.
6 I am sending the Babylonians. They are fierce and cruel-- marching across the land, conquering cities and towns.
7 How fearsome and frightening. Their only laws and rules are the ones they make up.
8 Their cavalry troops are faster than leopards, more ferocious than wolves hunting at sunset, and swifter than hungry eagles suddenly swooping down.
9 They are eager to destroy, and they gather captives like handfuls of sand.
10 They make fun of rulers and laugh at fortresses, while building dirt mounds so they can capture cities.
11 Then suddenly they disappear like a gust of wind-- those sinful people who worship their own strength.
12 Holy LORD God, mighty rock, you are eternal, and we are safe from death. You are using those Babylonians to judge and punish others.
13 But you can't stand sin or wrong. So don't sit by in silence while they gobble down people who are better than they are.
14 The people you put on this earth are like fish or reptiles without a leader.
15 Then an enemy comes along and takes them captive with hooks and nets. It makes him so happy
16 that he offers sacrifices to his fishing nets, because they make him rich and provide choice foods.
17 Will he keep hauling in his nets and destroying nations without showing mercy?
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.