« | Job 20 | » |
1 Zophar from Naamah said:
2 Your words are disturbing; now I must speak.
3 You have accused and insulted me, and reason requires a reply.
4 Since the time of creation, everyone has known
5 that sinful people are happy for only a while.
6 Though their pride and power may reach to the sky,
7 they will disappear like dust, and those who knew them will wonder what happened.
8 They will be forgotten like a dream
9 and vanish from the sight of family and friends.
10 Their children will have to repay what the parents took from the poor.
11 Indeed, the wicked will die and go to their graves in the prime of life.
12 Sinners love the taste of sin; they relish every bite
13 and swallow it slowly.
14 But their food will turn sour and poison their stomachs.
15 Then God will make them lose the wealth they gobbled down.
16 They will die from the fangs of poisonous snakes
17 and never enjoy rivers flowing with milk and honey.
18 Their hard work will result in nothing gained,
19 because they cheated the poor and took their homes.
20 Greedy people want everything and are never satisfied.
21 But when nothing remains for them to grab, they will be nothing.
22 Once they have everything, distress and despair will strike them down,
23 and God will make them swallow his blazing anger.
24 While running from iron spears, they will be killed by arrows of bronze,
25 whose shining tips go straight through their bodies. They will be trapped by terror,
26 and what they treasure most will be lost in the dark. God will send flames to destroy them in their tents with all their property.
27 The heavens and the earth will testify against them,
28 and all their possessions will be dragged off when God becomes angry.
29 This is what God has decided for those who are evil.
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.