« | Isaiah 63 | » |
1 Who is this coming from Bozrah in Edom with clothes stained red? Who is this hero marching in his glorious uniform? "It's me, the LORD! I have won the battle, and I can save you!"
2 What are those red spots? Your clothes look stained from stomping on grapes.
3 "I alone stomped the grapes! None of the nations helped. I stomped nations in my anger and stained my clothes with their blood.
4 I did this because I wanted to take revenge-- the time had come to rescue my people.
5 No one was there to help me or to give support; my mighty arm won the battle, strengthened by my anger.
6 In my fury I stomped on nations and made them drunk; their blood poured out everywhere on earth."
7 I will tell about the kind deeds the LORD has done. They deserve praise! The LORD has shown mercy to the people of Israel; he has been kind and good.
8 The LORD rescued his people, and said, "They are mine. They won't betray me."
9 It troubled the LORD to see them in trouble, and his angel saved them. The LORD was truly merciful, so he rescued his people. He took them in his arms and carried them all those years.
10 Then the LORD's people turned against him and made his Holy Spirit sad. So he became their enemy and attacked them.
11 But his people remembered what had happened during the time of Moses. Didn't the LORD bring them and their leaders safely through the sea? Didn't he give them his Holy Spirit?
12 The glorious power of the LORD marched beside Moses. The LORD will be praised forever for dividing the sea.
13 He led his people across like horses running wild without stumbling.
14 His Spirit gave them rest, just as cattle find rest when led into a valley. The name of the LORD was praised for doing these things.
15 Please, LORD, look down from your holy and glorious home in the heavens and see what's going on. Have you lost interest? Where is your power? Show that you care about us and have mercy!
16 Our ancestors Abraham and Jacob have both rejected us. But you are still our Father; you have been our protector since ancient times.
17 Why did you make us turn away from you, our LORD? Why did you make us want to disobey you? Please change your mind! We are your servants, your very own people.
18 For a little while, your temple belonged to us; and now our enemies have torn it down.
19 We act as though you had never ruled us or called us your 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.