« | Matthew 19 | » |
1 When Jesus finished teaching, he left Galilee and went to the part of Judea that is east of the Jordan River.
2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed their sick people.
3 Some Pharisees wanted to test Jesus. They came up to him and asked, "Is it right for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?"
4 Jesus answered, "Don't you know that in the beginning the Creator made a man and a woman?
5 That's why a man leaves his father and mother and gets married. He becomes like one person with his wife.
6 Then they are no longer two people, but one. And no one should separate a couple that God has joined together."
7 The Pharisees asked Jesus, "Why did Moses say that a man could write out divorce papers and send his wife away?"
8 Jesus replied, "You are so heartless! That's why Moses allowed you to divorce your wife. But from the beginning God did not intend it to be that way.
9 I say that if your wife has not committed some terrible sexual sin, you must not divorce her to marry someone else. If you do, you are unfaithful."
10 The disciples said, "If that's how it is between a man and a woman, it's better not to get married."
11 Jesus told them, "Only those people who have been given the gift of staying single can accept this teaching.
12 Some people are unable to marry because of birth defects or because of what someone has done to their bodies. Others stay single for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Anyone who can accept this teaching should do so."
13 Some people brought their children to Jesus, so that he could place his hands on them and pray for them. His disciples told the people to stop bothering him.
14 But Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and don't try to stop them! People who are like these children belong to God's kingdom."
15 After Jesus had placed his hands on the children, he left.
16 A man came to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?"
17 Jesus said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? Only God is good. If you want to have eternal life, you must obey his commandments."
18 "Which ones?" the man asked. Jesus answered, "Do not murder. Be faithful in marriage. Do not steal. Do not tell lies about others.
19 Respect your father and mother. And love others as much as you love yourself."
20 The young man said, "I have obeyed all of these. What else must I do?"
21 Jesus replied, "If you want to be perfect, go sell everything you own! Give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come and be my follower."
22 When the young man heard this, he was sad, because he was very rich.
23 Jesus said to his disciples, "It's terribly hard for rich people to get into the kingdom of heaven!
24 In fact, it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into God's kingdom."
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly surprised and asked, "How can anyone ever be saved?"
26 Jesus looked straight at them and said, "There are some things that people cannot do, but God can do anything."
27 Peter replied, "Remember, we have left everything to be your followers! What will we get?"
28 Jesus answered: Yes, all of you have become my followers. And so in the future world, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, I promise that you will sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 All who have given up home or brothers and sisters or father and mother or children or land for me will be given a hundred times as much. They will also have eternal life.
30 But many who are now first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
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.