Philippians 1 | » |
1 From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus. To all of God's people who belong to Christ Jesus at Philippi and to all of your church officials and officers.
2 I pray that God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!
3 Every time I think of you, I thank my God.
4 And whenever I mention you in my prayers, it makes me happy.
5 This is because you have taken part with me in spreading the good news from the first day you heard about it.
6 God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won't stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.
7 You have a special place in my heart. So it is only natural for me to feel the way I do. All of you have helped in the work that God has given me, as I defend the good news and tell about it here in jail.
8 God himself knows how much I want to see you. He knows that I care for you in the same way that Christ Jesus does.
9 I pray that your love will keep on growing and that you will fully know and understand
10 how to make the right choices. Then you will still be pure and innocent when Christ returns. And until that day,
11 Jesus Christ will keep you busy doing good deeds that bring glory and praise to God.
12 My dear friends, I want you to know that what has happened to me has helped to spread the good news.
13 The Roman guards and all the others know that I am here in jail because I serve Christ.
14 Now most of the Lord's followers have become brave and are fearlessly telling the message.
15 Some are preaching about Christ because they are jealous and envious of us. Others are preaching because they want to help.
16 They love Christ and know that I am here to defend the good news about him.
17 But the ones who are jealous of us are not sincere. They just want to cause trouble for me while I am in jail.
18 But that doesn't matter. All that matters is that people are telling about Christ, whether they are sincere or not. That is what makes me glad. I will keep on being glad,
19 because I know that your prayers and the help that comes from the Spirit of Christ Jesus will keep me safe.
20 I honestly expect and hope that I will never do anything to be ashamed of. Whether I live or die, I always want to be as brave as I am now and bring honor to Christ.
21 If I live, it will be for Christ, and if I die, I will gain even more.
22 I don't know what to choose. I could keep on living and doing something useful.
23 It is a hard choice to make. I want to die and be with Christ, because that would be much better.
24 But I know that all of you still need me. That's why I am sure I will stay on to help you grow and be happy in your faith.
25 (SEE 1:24)
26 Then, when I visit you again, you will have good reason to take great pride in Christ Jesus because of me.
27 Above all else, you must live in a way that brings honor to the good news about Christ. Then, whether I visit you or not, I will hear that all of you think alike. I will know that you are working together and that you are struggling side by side to get others to believe the good news.
28 Be brave when you face your enemies. Your courage will show them that they are going to be destroyed, and it will show you that you will be saved. God will make all of this happen,
29 and he has blessed you. Not only do you have faith in Christ, but you suffer for him.
30 You saw me suffer, and you still hear about my troubles. Now you must suffer in the same way.
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.