« | James 3 | » |
1 My friends, we should not all try to become teachers. In fact, teachers will be judged more strictly than others.
2 All of us do many wrong things. But if you can control your tongue, you are mature and able to control your whole body.
3 By putting a bit into the mouth of a horse, we can turn the horse in different directions.
4 It takes strong winds to move a large sailing ship, but the captain uses only a small rudder to make it go in any direction.
5 Our tongues are small too, and yet they brag about big things. It takes only a spark to start a forest fire!
6 The tongue is like a spark. It is an evil power that dirties the rest of the body and sets a person's entire life on fire with flames that come from hell itself.
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures can be tamed and have been tamed.
8 But our tongues get out of control. They are restless and evil, and always spreading deadly poison.
9 My dear friends, with our tongues we speak both praises and curses. We praise our Lord and Father, and we curse people who were created to be like God, and this isn't right.
10 (SEE 3:9)
11 Can clean water and dirty water both flow from the same spring?
12 Can a fig tree produce olives or a grapevine produce figs? Does fresh water come from a well full of salt water?
13 Are any of you wise or sensible? Then show it by living right and by being humble and wise in everything you do.
14 But if your heart is full of bitter jealousy and selfishness, don't brag or lie to cover up the truth.
15 That kind of wisdom doesn't come from above. It is earthly and selfish and comes from the devil himself.
16 Whenever people are jealous or selfish, they cause trouble and do all sorts of cruel things.
17 But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere.
18 When peacemakers plant seeds of peace, they will harvest justice.
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.