« | Proverbs 11 | » |
1 The LORD hates anyone who cheats, but he likes everyone who is honest.
2 Too much pride can put you to shame. It's wiser to be humble.
3 If you do the right thing, honesty will be your guide. But if you are crooked, you will be trapped by your own dishonesty.
4 When God is angry, money won't help you. Obeying God is the only way to be saved from death.
5 If you are truly good, you will do right; if you are wicked, you will be destroyed by your own sin.
6 Honesty can keep you safe, but if you can't be trusted, you trap yourself.
7 When the wicked die, their hopes die with them.
8 Trouble goes right past the LORD's people and strikes the wicked.
9 Dishonest people use gossip to destroy their neighbors; good people are protected by their own good sense.
10 When honest people prosper and the wicked disappear, the whole city celebrates.
11 When God blesses his people, their city prospers, but deceitful liars can destroy a city.
12 It's stupid to say bad things about your neighbors. If you are sensible, you will keep quiet.
13 A gossip tells everything, but a true friend will keep a secret.
14 A city without wise leaders will end up in ruin; a city with many wise leaders will be kept safe.
15 It's a dangerous thing to guarantee payment for someone's debts. Don't do it!
16 A gracious woman will be respected, but a man must work hard to get rich.
17 Kindness is rewarded-- but if you are cruel, you hurt yourself.
18 Meanness gets you nowhere, but goodness is rewarded.
19 Always do the right thing, and you will live; keep on doing wrong, and you will die.
20 The LORD hates sneaky people, but he likes everyone who lives right.
21 You can be sure of this: All crooks will be punished, but God's people won't.
22 A beautiful woman who acts foolishly is like a gold ring on the snout of a pig.
23 Good people want what is best, but troublemakers hope to stir up trouble.
24 Sometimes you can become rich by being generous or poor by being greedy.
25 Generosity will be rewarded: Give a cup of water, and you will receive a cup of water in return.
26 Charge too much for grain, and you will be cursed; sell it at a fair price, and you will be praised.
27 Try hard to do right, and you will win friends; go looking for trouble, and you will find it.
28 Trust in your wealth, and you will be a failure, but God's people will prosper like healthy plants.
29 Fools who cause trouble in the family won't inherit a thing. They will end up as slaves of someone with good sense.
30 Live right, and you will eat from the life-giving tree. And if you act wisely, others will follow.
31 If good people are rewarded here on this earth, all who are cruel and mean will surely be punished.
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.