« | Isaiah 59 | » |
1 The LORD hasn't lost his powerful strength; he can still hear and answer prayers.
2 Your sins are the roadblock between you and your God. That's why he doesn't answer your prayers or let you see his face.
3 Your talk is filled with lies and plans for violence; every finger on your hands is covered with blood.
4 You falsely accuse others and tell lies in court; sin and trouble are the names of your children.
5 You eat the deadly eggs of poisonous snakes, and more snakes crawl out from the eggs left to hatch. You weave spider webs,
6 but you can't make clothes with those webs or hide behind them. You're sinful and brutal.
7 You hurry off to do wrong or murder innocent victims. All you think about is sin; you leave ruin and destruction wherever you go.
8 You don't know how to live in peace or to be fair with others. The roads you make are crooked; your followers cannot find peace.
9 No one has come to defend us or to bring about justice. We hoped for a day of sunshine, but all we found was a dark, gloomy night.
10 We feel our way along, as if we were blind; we stumble at noon, as if it were night. We can see no better than someone dead.
11 We growl like bears and mourn like doves. We hope for justice and victory, but they escape us.
12 How often have we sinned and turned against you, the LORD God? Our sins condemn us! We have done wrong.
13 We have rebelled and refused to follow you. Our hearts were deceitful, and so we lied; we planned to abuse others and turn our backs on you.
14 Injustice is everywhere; justice seems far away. Truth is chased out of court; honesty is shoved aside.
15 Everyone tells lies; those who turn from crime end up ruined. When the LORD noticed that justice had disappeared, he became very displeased.
16 It disgusted him even more to learn that no one would do a thing about it. So with his own powerful arm, he won victories for truth.
17 Justice was the LORD's armor; saving power was his helmet; anger and revenge were his clothes.
18 Now the LORD will get furious and do to his enemies, both near and far, what they did to his people.
19 He will attack like a flood in a mighty windstorm. Nations in the west and the east will then honor and praise his wonderful name.
20 The LORD has promised to rescue the city of Zion and Jacob's descendants who turn from sin.
21 The LORD says: "My people, I promise to give you my Spirit and my message. These will be my gifts to you and your families forever. I, the LORD, have spoken."
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.