« | John 14 | » |
1 Jesus said to his disciples, "Don't be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me.
2 There are many rooms in my Father's house. I wouldn't tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you.
3 After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together.
4 You know the way to where I am going."
5 Thomas said, "Lord, we don't even know where you are going! How can we know the way?"
6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life!" Jesus answered. "Without me, no one can go to the Father.
7 If you had known me, you would have known the Father. But from now on, you do know him, and you have seen him."
8 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father. That is all we need."
9 Jesus replied: Philip, I have been with you for a long time. Don't you know who I am? If you have seen me, you have seen the Father. How can you ask me to show you the Father?
10 Don't you believe that I am one with the Father and that the Father is one with me? What I say isn't said on my own. The Father who lives in me does these things.
11 Have faith in me when I say that the Father is one with me and that I am one with the Father. Or else have faith in me simply because of the things I do.
12 I tell you for certain that if you have faith in me, you will do the same things that I am doing. You will do even greater things, now that I am going back to the Father.
13 Ask me, and I will do whatever you ask. This way the Son will bring honor to the Father.
14 I will do whatever you ask me to do.
15 Jesus said to his disciples: If you love me, you will do as I command.
16 Then I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you.
17 The Spirit will show you what is true. The people of this world cannot accept the Spirit, because they don't see or know him. But you know the Spirit, who is with you and will keep on living in you.
18 I won't leave you like orphans. I will come back to you.
19 In a little while the people of this world won't be able to see me, but you will see me. And because I live, you will live.
20 Then you will know that I am one with the Father. You will know that you are one with me, and I am one with you.
21 If you love me, you will do what I have said, and my Father will love you. I will also love you and show you what I am like.
22 The other Judas, not Judas Iscariot, then spoke up and asked, "Lord, what do you mean by saying that you will show us what you are like, but you will not show the people of this world?"
23 Jesus replied: If anyone loves me, they will obey me. Then my Father will love them, and we will come to them and live in them.
24 But anyone who doesn't love me, won't obey me. What they have heard me say doesn't really come from me, but from the Father who sent me.
25 I have told you these things while I am still with you.
26 But the Holy Spirit will come and help you, because the Father will send the Spirit to take my place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you.
27 I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn't like the peace that this world can give. So don't be worried or afraid.
28 You have already heard me say that I am going and that I will also come back to you. If you really love me, you should be glad that I am going back to the Father, because he is greater than I am.
29 I am telling you this before I leave, so that when it does happen, you will have faith in me.
30 I cannot speak with you much longer, because the ruler of this world is coming. But he has no power over me.
31 I obey my Father, so that everyone in the world might know that I love him. It is time for us to go now.
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.