« | Jeremiah 12 | » |
1 Whenever I complain to you, LORD, you are always fair. But now I have questions about your justice. Why is life easy for sinners? Why are they successful?
2 You plant them like trees; you let them prosper and produce fruit. Yet even when they praise you, they don't mean it.
3 But you know, LORD, how faithful I've always been, even in my thoughts. So drag my enemies away and butcher them like sheep!
4 How long will the ground be dry and the pasturelands parched? The birds and animals are dead and gone. And all of this happened because the people are so sinful. They even brag, "God can't see the sins we commit."
5 Jeremiah, if you get tired in a race against people, how can you possibly run against horses? If you fall in open fields, what will happen in the forest along the Jordan River?
6 Even your own family has turned against you. They act friendly, but don't trust them. They're out to get you, and so is everyone else.
7 I loved my people and chose them as my very own. But now I will reject them and hand them over to their enemies.
8 My people have turned against me and roar at me like lions. That's why I hate them.
9 My people are like a hawk surrounded and attacked by other hawks. Tell the wild animals to come and eat their fill.
10 My beautiful land is ruined like a field or a vineyard trampled by shepherds and stripped bare by their flocks.
11 Every field I see lies barren, and no one cares.
12 A destroying army marches along desert roads and attacks everywhere. They are my deadly sword; no one is safe from them.
13 My people, you planted wheat, but because I was furious, I let only weeds grow. You wore yourselves out for nothing!
14 The LORD said: I gave this land to my people Israel, but enemies around it have attacked and robbed it. So I will uproot them from their own countries just as I will uproot Judah from its land.
15 But later, I will have pity on these nations and bring them back to their own lands.
16 They once taught my people to worship Baal. But if they admit I am the only true God, and if they let my people teach them how to worship me, these nations will also become my people.
17 However, if they don't listen to me, I will uproot them from their lands and completely destroy them. 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.