« | Job 31 | » |
1 I promised myself never to stare with desire at a young woman.
2 God All-Powerful punishes men who do that.
3 In fact, God sends disaster on all who sin,
4 and he keeps a close watch on everything I do.
5 I am not dishonest or deceitful,
6 and I beg God to prove my innocence.
7 If I have disobeyed him or even wanted to,
8 then others can eat my harvest and uproot my crops.
9 If I have desired someone's wife and chased after her,
10 then let some stranger steal my wife from me.
11 If I took someone's wife, it would be a horrible crime,
12 sending me to destruction and my crops to the flames.
13 When my servants complained against me, I was fair to them.
14 Otherwise, what answer would I give to God when he judges me?
15 After all, God is the one who gave life to each of us before we were born.
16 I have never cheated widows or others in need,
17 and I have always shared my food with orphans.
18 Since the time I was young, I have cared for orphans and helped widows.
19 I provided clothes for the poor,
20 and I was praised for supplying woolen garments to keep them warm.
21 If I have ever raised my arm to threaten an orphan when the power was mine,
22 I hope that arm will fall from its socket.
23 I could not have been abusive; I was terrified at the thought that God might punish me.
24 I have never trusted the power of wealth,
25 or taken pride in owning many possessions.
26 I have never openly or secretly
27 worshiped the sun or moon.
28 Such horrible sins would have deserved punishment from God.
29 I have never laughed when my enemies were struck by disaster.
30 Neither have I sinned by asking God to send down on them the curse of death.
31 No one ever went hungry at my house,
32 and travelers were always welcome.
33 Many have attempted to hide their sins from others-- but I refused.
34 And the fear of public disgrace never forced me to keep silent about what I had done.
35 Why doesn't God All-Powerful listen and answer? If God has something against me, let him speak up or put it in writing!
36 Then I would wear his charges on my clothes and forehead.
37 And with my head held high, I would tell him everything I have ever done.
38 I have never mistreated the land I farmed and made it mourn.
39 Nor have I cheated my workers and caused them pain.
40 If I had, I would pray for weeds instead of wheat to grow in my fields. After saying these things, Job was silent.
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.