« | Job 41 | » |
1 Can you catch a sea monster by using a fishhook? Can you tie its mouth shut with a rope?
2 Can it be led around by a ring in its nose or a hook in its jaw?
3 Will it beg for mercy?
4 Will it surrender as a slave for life?
5 Can it be tied by the leg like a pet bird for little girls?
6 Is it ever chopped up and its pieces bargained for in the fish-market?
7 Can it be killed with harpoons or spears?
8 Wrestle it just once-- that will be the end.
9 Merely a glimpse of this monster makes all courage melt.
10 And if it is too fierce for anyone to attack, who would dare oppose me?
11 I am in command of the world and in debt to no one.
12 What powerful legs, what a stout body this monster possesses!
13 Who could strip off its armor or bring it under control with a harness?
14 Who would try to open its jaws, full of fearsome teeth?
15 Its back is covered with shield after shield,
16 firmly bound and closer together
17 than breath to breath.
18 When this monster sneezes, lightning flashes, and its eyes glow like the dawn.
19 Sparks and fiery flames explode from its mouth.
20 And smoke spews from its nose like steam from a boiling pot,
21 while its blazing breath scorches everything in sight.
22 Its neck is so tremendous that everyone trembles,
23 the weakest parts of its body are harder than iron,
24 and its heart is stone.
25 When this noisy monster appears, even the most powerful turn and run in fear.
26 No sword or spear can harm it,
27 and weapons of bronze or iron are as useless as straw or rotten wood.
28 Rocks thrown from a sling cause it no more harm than husks of grain. This monster fears no arrows,
29 it simply smiles at spears, and striking it with a stick is like slapping it with straw.
30 As it crawls through the mud, its sharp and spiny hide tears the ground apart.
31 And when it swims down deep, the sea starts churning like boiling oil,
32 and it leaves behind a trail of shining white foam.
33 No other creature on earth is so fearless.
34 It is king of all proud creatures, and it looks upon the others as nothing.
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.