« | Isaiah 2 | » |
1 This is the message that I was given about Judah and Jerusalem:
2 In the future, the mountain with the LORD's temple will be the highest of all. It will reach above the hills; every nation will rush to it.
3 Many people will come and say, "Let's go to the mountain of the LORD God of Jacob and worship in his temple." The LORD will teach us his Law from Jerusalem, and we will obey him.
4 He will settle arguments between nations. They will pound their swords and their spears into rakes and shovels; they will never make war or attack one another.
5 People of Israel, let's live by the light of the LORD.
6 Our LORD, you have deserted your people, Israel, because they follow customs of nations from the east. They worship Philistine gods and are close friends of foreigners.
7 They have endless treasures of silver and gold; they have countless horses and war chariots.
8 Everywhere in the country they worship the idols they have made.
9 And so, all of them will be ashamed and disgraced. Don't help them!
10 Every one of you, go hide among the rocks and in the ground, because the LORD is fearsome, marvelous, and glorious.
11 When the LORD comes, everyone who is proud will be made humble, and the LORD alone will be honored.
12 The LORD All-Powerful has chosen a day when those who are proud and conceited will be put down.
13 The tall and towering cedars of Lebanon will be destroyed. So will the oak trees of Bashan,
14 all high mountains and hills,
15 every strong fortress,
16 all the seagoing ships, and every beautiful boat.
17 When that day comes, everyone who is proud will be put down. Only the LORD will be honored.
18 Idols will be gone for good.
19 You had better hide in caves and holes-- the LORD will be fearsome, marvelous, and glorious when he comes to terrify people on earth.
20 On that day everyone will throw to the rats and bats their idols of silver and gold they made to worship.
21 The LORD will be fearsome, marvelous, and glorious when he comes to terrify people on earth-- they will hide in caves and in the hills.
22 Stop trusting the power of humans. They are all going to die, so how can they help?
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.