« | Leviticus 21 | » |
1 The LORD gave Moses these instructions for Aaron's sons, the priests: Touching a dead body will make you unclean. So don't go near a dead relative,
2 except your mother, father, son, daughter, brother,
3 or an unmarried sister, who has no husband to take care of her.
4 Don't make yourself unclean by attending the funeral of someone related to you by marriage.
5 Don't shave any part of your head or trim your beard or cut yourself to show that you are mourning.
6 I am the LORD your God, and I have chosen you alone to offer sacrifices of food to me on the altar. That's why you must keep yourselves holy.
7 Don't marry a divorced woman or a woman who has served as a temple prostitute. You are holy,
8 because I am holy. And so, you must be treated with proper respect, since you offer food sacrifices to me, the God of holiness.
9 If any of you priests has a daughter who disgraces you by serving as a temple prostitute, she must be burned to death.
10 If you are the high priest, you must not mess up your hair or tear your clothes in order to mourn for the dead.
11 Don't make yourself unclean by going near a dead body, not even that of your own father or mother.
12 If you leave the sacred place to attend a funeral, both you and the sacred place become unclean, because you are the high priest.
13 If you are the high priest, you must marry only a virgin
14 from your own tribe. Don't marry a divorced woman or any other woman who has already had sex, including a temple prostitute.
15 In this way, your descendants will be qualified to serve me. Remember--I am the LORD, and I have chosen you.
16 The LORD told Moses
17 to say to Aaron: No descendant of yours can ever serve as my priest if he is blind or lame, if his face is disfigured, if one leg is shorter than the other,
18 (SEE 21:17)
19 if either a foot or a hand is crippled,
20 if he is a hunchback or a dwarf, if an eye or his skin is diseased, or if his testicles have been damaged.
21 These men may not serve as my priests and burn sacrifices to me.
22 They may eat the food offerings presented to me,
23 but they may not enter the sacred place or serve me at the altar. Remember--I am the LORD, the one who makes a priest holy.
24 Moses told all of this to Aaron, his sons, and the people of Israel.
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.