« | Leviticus 11 | » |
1 The LORD told Moses and Aaron
2 to say to the community of Israel: You may eat
3 any animal that has divided hoofs and chews the cud.
4 But you must not eat animals such as camels, rock badgers, and rabbits that chew the cud but don't have divided hoofs. And you must not eat pigs--they have divided hoofs, but don't chew the cud. All of these animals are unclean, and you are forbidden even to touch their dead bodies.
5 (SEE 11:4)
6 (SEE 11:4)
7 (SEE 11:4)
8 (SEE 11:4)
9 You may eat anything that lives in water and has fins and scales. But it would be disgusting for you to eat anything else that lives in water, and you must not even touch their dead bodies.
10 (SEE 11:9)
11 (SEE 11:9)
12 (SEE 11:9)
13 Eagles, vultures, buzzards, crows, ostriches, hawks, sea gulls, owls, pelicans, storks, herons, hoopoes, and bats are also disgusting, and you are forbidden to eat any of them.
14 (SEE 11:13)
15 (SEE 11:13)
16 (SEE 11:13)
17 (SEE 11:13)
18 (SEE 11:13)
19 (SEE 11:13)
20 The only winged insects you may eat are locusts, grasshoppers, and crickets. All other winged insects that crawl are too disgusting for you to eat.
21 (SEE 11:20)
22 (SEE 11:20)
23 (SEE 11:20)
24 Don't even touch the dead bodies of animals that have divided hoofs but don't chew the cud. And don't touch the dead bodies of animals that have paws. If you do, you must wash your clothes, but you are still unclean until evening.
25 (SEE 11:24)
26 (SEE 11:24)
27 (SEE 11:24)
28 (SEE 11:24)
29 Moles, rats, mice, and all kinds of lizards are unclean.
30 (SEE 11:29)
31 Anyone who touches their dead bodies or anything touched by their dead bodies becomes unclean until evening.
32 If something made of wood, cloth, or leather touches one of their dead bodies, it must be washed, but it is still unclean until evening.
33 If any of these animals is found dead in a clay pot, the pot must be broken to pieces, and everything in it becomes unclean.
34 If you pour water from this pot on any food, that food becomes unclean, and anything drinkable in the pot becomes unclean.
35 If the dead body of one of these animals touches anything else, including ovens and stoves, that thing becomes unclean and must be destroyed.
36 A spring or a cistern where one of these dead animals is found is still clean, but anyone who touches the animal becomes unclean.
37 If the dead body of one of these animals is found lying on seeds that have been set aside for planting, the seeds remain clean.
38 But seeds that are soaking in water become unclean, if the dead animal is found in the water.
39 If an animal that may be eaten happens to die, and you touch it, you become unclean until evening.
40 If you eat any of its meat or carry its body away, you must wash your clothes, but you are still unclean until evening.
41 Don't eat any of those disgusting little creatures that crawl or walk close to the ground.
42 (SEE 11:41)
43 If you eat any of them, you will become just as disgusting and unclean as they are.
44 I am the LORD your God, and you must dedicate yourselves to me and be holy, just as I am holy. Don't become disgusting by eating any of these unclean creatures.
45 I brought you out of Egypt so that I could be your God. Now you must become holy, because I am holy!
46 I have given these laws so that you will know what animals, birds, and fish are clean and may be eaten, and which ones are unclean and may not be eaten.
47 (SEE 11:46)
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.