« | Job 24 | » |
1 Why doesn't God set a time for court? Why don't his people know where he can be found?
2 Sinners remove boundary markers and take care of sheep they have stolen.
3 They cheat orphans and widows by taking their donkeys and oxen.
4 The poor are trampled and forced to hide
5 in the desert, where they and their children must live like wild donkeys and search for food.
6 If they want grain or grapes, they must go to the property of these sinners.
7 They sleep naked in the cold, because they have no cover,
8 and during a storm their only shelters are caves among the rocky cliffs.
9 Children whose fathers have died are taken from their mothers as payment for a debt.
10 Then they are forced to work naked in the grain fields because they have no clothes, and they go hungry.
11 They crush olives to make oil and grapes to make wine-- but still they go thirsty.
12 And along the city streets, the wounded and dying cry out, yet God does nothing.
13 Some rebel and refuse to follow the light.
14 Soon after sunset they murder the poor and the needy, and at night they steal.
15 Others wait for the dark, thinking they won't be seen if they sleep with the wife or husband of someone else.
16 Robbers hide during the day, then break in after dark because they reject the light.
17 They prefer night to day, since the terrors of the night are their friends.
18 Those sinners are filthy foam on the surface of the water. And so, their fields and vineyards will fall under a curse and won't produce.
19 Just as the heat of summer swallows the snow, the world of the dead swallows those who sin.
20 Forgotten here on earth, and with their power broken, they taste sweet to worms.
21 Sinners take advantage of widows and other helpless women.
22 But God's mighty strength destroys those in power. Even if they seem successful, they are doomed to fail.
23 God may let them feel secure, but they are never out of his sight.
24 Great for a while; gone forever! Sinners are mowed down like weeds, then they wither and die.
25 If I haven't spoken the truth, then prove me wrong.
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.