« | Hebrews 10 | » |
1 The Law of Moses is like a shadow of the good things to come. This shadow isn't the good things themselves, because it cannot free people from sin by the sacrifices that are offered year after year.
2 If there were worshipers who already have their sins washed away and their consciences made clear, there would not be any need to go on offering sacrifices.
3 But the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins. It only reminds people of their sins from one year to the next.
4 (SEE 10:3)
5 When Christ came into the world, he said to God, "Sacrifices and offerings are not what you want, but you have given me my body.
6 No, you are not pleased with animal sacrifices and offerings for sin."
7 Then Christ said, "And so, my God, I have come to do what you want, as the Scriptures say."
8 The Law teaches that offerings and sacrifices must be made because of sin. But why did Christ mention these things and say that God did not want them?
9 Well, it was to do away with offerings and sacrifices and to replace them. That is what he meant by saying to God, "I have come to do what you want."
10 So we are made holy because Christ obeyed God and offered himself once for all.
11 The priests do their work each day, and they keep on offering sacrifices that can never take away sins.
12 But Christ offered himself as a sacrifice that is good forever. Now he is sitting at God's right side,
13 and he will stay there until his enemies are put under his power.
14 By his one sacrifice he has forever set free from sin the people he brings to God.
15 The Holy Spirit also speaks of this by telling us that the Lord said,
16 "When the time comes, I will make an agreement with them. I will write my laws on their minds and hearts.
17 Then I will forget about their sins and no longer remember their evil deeds."
18 When sins are forgiven, there is no more need to offer sacrifices.
19 My friends, the blood of Jesus gives us courage to enter the most holy place
20 by a new way that leads to life! And this way takes us through the curtain that is Christ himself.
21 We have a great high priest who is in charge of God's house.
22 So let's come near God with pure hearts and a confidence that comes from having faith. Let's keep our hearts pure, our consciences free from evil, and our bodies washed with clean water.
23 We must hold tightly to the hope that we say is ours. After all, we can trust the one who made the agreement with us.
24 We should keep on encouraging each other to be thoughtful and to do helpful things.
25 Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord's coming is getting closer.
26 No sacrifices can be made for people who decide to sin after they find out about the truth.
27 They are God's enemies, and all they can look forward to is a terrible judgment and a furious fire.
28 If two or more witnesses accused someone of breaking the Law of Moses, that person could be put to death.
29 But it is much worse to dishonor God's Son and to disgrace the blood of the promise that made us holy. And it is just as bad to insult the Holy Spirit, who shows us mercy.
30 We know that God has said he will punish and take revenge. We also know that the Scriptures say the Lord will judge his people.
31 It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God!
32 Don't forget all the hard times you went through when you first received the light.
33 Sometimes you were abused and mistreated in public, and at other times you shared in the sufferings of others.
34 You were kind to people in jail. And you gladly let your possessions be taken away, because you knew you had something better, something that would last forever.
35 Keep on being brave! It will bring you great rewards.
36 Learn to be patient, so that you will please God and be given what he has promised.
37 As the Scriptures say, "God is coming soon! It won't be very long.
38 The people God accepts will live because of their faith. But he isn't pleased with anyone who turns back."
39 We are not like those people who turn back and get destroyed. We will keep on having faith until we are saved.
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.