« | Isaiah 3 | » |
1 The mighty LORD All-Powerful is going to take away from Jerusalem and Judah everything you need-- your bread and water, *
2 soldiers and heroes, judges and prophets, leaders and army officers,
3 officials and advisors, fortunetellers and others who tell the future.
4 He will let children and babies become your rulers.
5 You will each be cruel to friends and neighbors. Young people will insult their elders; no one will show respect to those who deserve it.
6 Some of you will grab hold of a relative and say, "You still have a coat. Be our leader and rule this pile of ruins."
7 But the answer will be, "I can't do you any good. Don't make me your leader. There's no food or clothing left in my house."
8 Jerusalem and Judah, you rebelled against your glorious LORD-- your words and your actions, made you stumble and fall.
9 The look on your faces shows that you are sinful as Sodom, and you don't try to hide it. You are in for trouble, and you have brought it all on yourselves.
10 Tell those who obey God, "You're very fortunate-- you will be rewarded for what you have done."
11 Tell those who disobey, "You're in big trouble-- what you did to others will come back to you."
12 Though you are God's people, you are ruled and abused by women and children. You are confused by leaders who guide you down the wrong path.
13 The LORD is ready to accuse and judge all nations.
14 He will even judge you rulers and leaders of his own nation. You destroyed his vineyard and filled your houses by robbing the poor.
15 The LORD All-Powerful says, "You have crushed my people and rubbed in the dirt the faces of the poor."
16 The LORD says: The women of Jerusalem are proud and strut around, winking shamelessly. They wear anklets that jingle and call attention to the way they walk.
17 But I, the LORD, will cover their heads with sores, and I will uncover their private parts.
18 When that day comes, I will take away from those women all the fine jewelry they wear on their ankles, heads, necks, ears, arms, noses, fingers, and on their clothes. I will remove their veils, their belts, their perfume, their magic charms, their royal robes, and all their fancy dresses, hats, and purses.
19 (SEE 3:18)
20 (SEE 3:18)
21 (SEE 3:18)
22 (SEE 3:18)
23 (SEE 3:18)
24 In place of perfume, there will be a stink; in place of belts, there will be ropes; in place of fancy hairdos, they will have bald heads. Instead of expensive clothes, they will wear sackcloth; instead of beauty, they will have ugly scars.
25 The fighting men of Jerusalem will be killed in battle.
26 The city will mourn and sit in the dirt, emptied of its people.
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.