« | Job 39 | » |
1 When do mountain goats and deer give birth? Have you been there when their young are born?
2 How long are they pregnant
3 before they deliver?
4 Soon their young grow strong and then leave to be on their own.
5 Who set wild donkeys free?
6 I alone help them survive in salty desert sand.
7 They stay far from crowded cities and refuse to be tamed.
8 Instead, they roam the hills, searching for pastureland.
9 Would a wild ox agree to live in your barn and labor for you?
10 Could you force him to plow or to drag a heavy log to smooth out the soil?
11 Can you depend on him to use his great strength and do your heavy work?
12 Can you trust him to harvest your grain or take it to your barn from the threshing place?
13 An ostrich proudly flaps her wings, but not because she loves her young.
14 She abandons her eggs and lets the dusty ground keep them warm.
15 And she doesn't seem to worry that the feet of an animal could crush them all.
16 She treats her eggs as though they were not her own, unconcerned that her work might be for nothing.
17 I myself made her foolish and without common sense.
18 But once she starts running, she laughs at a rider on the fastest horse.
19 Did you give horses their strength and the flowing hair along their necks?
20 Did you make them able to jump like grasshoppers or to frighten people with their snorting?
21 Before horses are ridden into battle, they paw at the ground, proud of their strength.
22 Laughing at fear, they rush toward the fighting,
23 while the weapons of their riders rattle and flash in the sun.
24 Unable to stand still, they gallop eagerly into battle when trumpets blast.
25 Stirred by the distant smells and sounds of war, they snort in reply to the trumpet.
26 Did you teach hawks to fly south for the winter?
27 Did you train eagles to build
28 their nests on rocky cliffs,
29 where they can look down to spot their next meal?
30 Then their young gather to feast wherever the victim lies.
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.