« | John 13 | » |
1 It was before Passover, and Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and to return to the Father. He had always loved his followers in this world, and he loved them to the very end.
2 Even before the evening meal started, the devil had made Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, decide to betray Jesus.
3 Jesus knew that he had come from God and would go back to God. He also knew that the Father had given him complete power.
4 So during the meal Jesus got up, removed his outer garment, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
5 He put some water into a large bowl. Then he began washing his disciples' feet and drying them with the towel he was wearing.
6 But when he came to Simon Peter, that disciple asked, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
7 Jesus answered, "You don't really know what I am doing, but later you will understand."
8 "You will never wash my feet!" Peter replied. "If I don't wash you," Jesus told him, "you don't really belong to me."
9 Peter said, "Lord, don't wash just my feet. Wash my hands and my head."
10 Jesus answered, "People who have bathed and are clean all over need to wash just their feet. And you, my disciples, are clean, except for one of you."
11 Jesus knew who would betray him. That is why he said, "except for one of you."
12 After Jesus had washed his disciples' feet and had put his outer garment back on, he sat down again. Then he said: Do you understand what I have done?
13 You call me your teacher and Lord, and you should, because that is who I am.
14 And if your Lord and teacher has washed your feet, you should do the same for each other.
15 I have set the example, and you should do for each other exactly what I have done for you.
16 I tell you for certain that servants are not greater than their master, and messengers are not greater than the one who sent them.
17 You know these things, and God will bless you, if you do them.
18 I am not talking about all of you. I know the ones I have chosen. But what the Scriptures say must come true. And they say, "The man who ate with me has turned against me!"
19 I am telling you this before it all happens. Then when it does happen, you will believe who I am.
20 I tell you for certain that anyone who welcomes my messengers also welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.
21 After Jesus had said these things, he was deeply troubled and told his disciples, "I tell you for certain that one of you will betray me."
22 They were confused about what he meant. And they just stared at each other.
23 Jesus' favorite disciple was sitting next to him at the meal,
24 and Simon motioned for that disciple to find out which one Jesus meant.
25 So the disciple leaned toward Jesus and asked, "Lord, which one of us are you talking about?"
26 Jesus answered, "I will dip this piece of bread in the sauce and give it to the one I was talking about." Then Jesus dipped the bread and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
27 Right then Satan took control of Judas. Jesus said, "Judas, go quickly and do what you have to do."
28 No one at the meal understood what Jesus meant.
29 But because Judas was in charge of the money, some of them thought that Jesus had told him to buy something they needed for the festival. Others thought that Jesus had told him to give some money to the poor.
30 Judas took the piece of bread and went out. It was already night.
31 After Judas had gone, Jesus said: Now the Son of Man will be given glory, and he will bring glory to God.
32 Then, after God is given glory because of him, God will bring glory to him, and God will do it very soon.
33 My children, I will be with you for a little while longer. Then you will look for me, but you won't find me. I tell you just as I told the people, "You cannot go where I am going."
34 But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you.
35 If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.
36 Simon Peter asked, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "You can't go with me now, but later on you will."
37 Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I go with you now? I would die for you!"
38 "Would you really die for me?" Jesus asked. "I tell you for certain that before a rooster crows, you will say three times that you don't even know me."
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.