« | Leviticus 18 | » |
1 The LORD told Moses
2 to tell the people of Israel: I am the LORD your God!
3 So don't follow the customs of Egypt where you used to live or those of Canaan where I am bringing you.
4 I am the LORD your God, and you must obey my teachings.
5 Obey them and you will live. I am the LORD.
6 Don't have sex with any of your close relatives,
7 especially your own mother. This would disgrace your father.
8 And don't disgrace him by having sex with any of his other wives.
9 Don't have sex with your sister or stepsister, whether you grew up together or not.
10 Don't disgrace yourself by having sex with your granddaughter
11 or half sister
12 or a sister of your father or mother.
13 (SEE 18:12)
14 Don't disgrace your uncle by having sex with his wife.
15 Don't have sex with your daughter-in-law
16 or sister-in-law.
17 And don't have sex with the daughter or granddaughter of any woman that you have earlier had sex with. You may be having sex with a relative, and that would make you unclean.
18 As long as your wife is alive, don't cause trouble for her by taking one of her sisters as a second wife.
19 When a woman is having her monthly period, she is unclean, so don't have sex with her.
20 Don't have sex with another man's wife--that would make you unclean.
21 Don't sacrifice your children on the altar fires to the god Molech. I am the LORD your God, and that would disgrace me.
22 It is disgusting for a man to have sex with another man.
23 Anyone who has sex with an animal is unclean.
24 Don't make yourselves unclean by any of these disgusting practices of those nations that I am forcing out of the land for you. They made themselves
25 and the land so unclean, that I punished the land because of their sins, and I made it vomit them up.
26 Now don't do these sickening things that make the land filthy. Instead, obey my laws and teachings.
27 (SEE 18:26)
28 Then the land won't become sick of you and vomit you up, just as it did them.
29 If any of you do these vulgar, disgusting things, you will be unclean and no longer belong to my people. I am the LORD your God, and I forbid you to follow their sickening way of life.
30 (SEE 18:29)
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.