« | Mark 16 |
1 After the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene, Salome, and Mary the mother of James bought some spices to put on Jesus' body.
2 Very early on Sunday morning, just as the sun was coming up, they went to the tomb.
3 On their way, they were asking one another, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance for us?"
4 But when they looked, they saw that the stone had already been rolled away. And it was a huge stone!
5 The women went into the tomb, and on the right side they saw a young man in a white robe sitting there. They were alarmed.
6 The man said, "Don't be alarmed! You are looking for Jesus from Nazareth, who was nailed to a cross. God has raised him to life, and he isn't here. You can see the place where they put his body.
7 Now go and tell his disciples, and especially Peter, that he will go ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you."
8 When the women ran from the tomb, they were confused and shaking all over. They were too afraid to tell anyone what had happened.
9 Very early on the first day of the week, after Jesus had risen to life, he appeared to Mary Magdalene. Earlier he had forced seven demons out of her.
10 She left and told his friends, who were crying and mourning.
11 Even though they heard that Jesus was alive and that Mary had seen him, they would not believe it.
12 Later, Jesus appeared in another form to two disciples, as they were on their way out of the city.
13 But when these disciples told what had happened, the others would not believe.
14 Afterwards, Jesus appeared to his eleven disciples as they were eating. He scolded them because they were too stubborn to believe the ones who had seen him after he had been raised to life.
15 Then he told them: Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.
16 Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned.
17 Everyone who believes me will be able to do wonderful things. By using my name they will force out demons, and they will speak new languages.
18 They will handle snakes and will drink poison and not be hurt. They will also heal sick people by placing their hands on them.
19 After the Lord Jesus had said these things to the disciples, he was taken back up to heaven where he sat down at the right side of God.
20 Then the disciples left and preached everywhere. The Lord was with them, and the miracles they worked proved that their message was true.
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.