« | Hosea 4 | » |
1 Israel, listen as the LORD accuses everyone in the land! No one is faithful or loyal or truly cares about God.
2 Cursing, dishonesty, murder, robbery, unfaithfulness-- these happen all the time. Violence is everywhere.
3 And so your land is a desert. Every living creature is dying-- people and wild animals, birds and fish.
4 Don't accuse just anyone! Not everyone is at fault. My case is against you, the priests.
5 You and the prophets will stumble day and night; I'll silence your mothers.
6 You priests have rejected me, and my people are destroyed by refusing to obey. Now I'll reject you and forget your children, because you have forgotten my Law.
7 By adding more of you priests, you multiply the number of people who sin. Now I'll change your pride into shame.
8 You encourage others to sin, so you can stuff yourselves on their sin offerings.
9 That's why I will punish the people for their deeds, just as I will punish you priests.
10 Their food won't satisfy, and having sex at pagan shrines won't produce children. My people have rebelled
11 and have been unfaithful to me, their LORD. My people, you are foolish because of too much pleasure and too much wine.
12 You expect wooden idols and other objects of wood to give you advice. Lusting for sex at pagan shrines has made you unfaithful to me, your God.
13 You offer sacrifices on mountaintops and hills, under oak trees, and wherever good shade is found. Your own daughters and daughters-in-law sell themselves for sex.
14 But I won't punish them. You men are to blame, because you go to prostitutes and offer sacrifices with them at pagan shrines. Your own foolishness will lead to your ruin.
15 Israel, you are unfaithful, but don't lead Judah to sin. Stop worshiping at Gilgal or at sinful Bethel. And quit making promises in my name-- the name of the living LORD.
16 You are nothing more than a stubborn cow-- so stubborn that I, the LORD, cannot feed you like lambs in an open pasture.
17 You people of Israel are charmed by idols. Leave them alone!
18 You get drunk, then sleep with prostitutes; you would rather be vulgar than lead a decent life.
19 And so you will be swept away in a whirlwind for sacrificing to idols.
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.