« | Leviticus 24 | » |
1 The LORD told Moses
2 to say to the community of Israel: You must supply the purest olive oil for the lamps in the sacred tent, so they will keep burning.
3 Aaron will set up the gold lampstand in the holy place of the sacred tent. Then he will light the seven lamps that must be kept burning there in my presence, every night from now on. This law will never change.
4 (SEE 24:3)
5 Use your finest flour to bake twelve loaves of bread about four pounds each,
6 then take them into the sacred tent and lay them on the gold table in two rows of six loaves.
7 Alongside each row put some pure incense that will be sent up by fire in place of the bread as an offering to me.
8 Aaron must lay fresh loaves on the table each Sabbath, and priests in all generations must continue this practice as part of Israel's agreement with me.
9 This bread will always belong to Aaron and his family; it is very holy because it was offered to me, and it must be eaten in a holy place.
10 Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri from the tribe of Dan, had married an Egyptian, and they had a son. One day their son got into a fight with an Israelite man in camp and cursed the name of the LORD. So the young man was dragged off to Moses,
11 (SEE 24:10)
12 who had him guarded while everyone waited for the LORD to tell them what to do.
13 Finally, the LORD said to Moses:
14 This man has cursed me! Take him outside the camp and have the witnesses lay their hands on his head. Then command the whole community of Israel to stone him to death.
15 And warn the others that everyone else who curses me will die in the same way, whether they are Israelites by birth or foreigners living among you.
16 (SEE 24:15)
17 Death is also the penalty for murder,
18 but the killing of an animal that belongs to someone else requires only that the animal be replaced.
19 Personal injuries to others must be dealt with in keeping with the crime--
20 a broken bone for a broken bone, an eye for an eye, or a tooth for a tooth.
21 It's possible to pay the owner for an animal that has been killed, but death is the penalty for murder.
22 I am the LORD your God, and I demand equal justice both for you Israelites and for those foreigners who live among you.
23 When Moses finished speaking, the people did what the LORD had told Moses, and they stoned to death the man who had cursed the LORD.
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.