« | Proverbs 2 | » |
1 My child, you must follow and treasure my teachings and my instructions.
2 Keep in tune with wisdom and think what it means to have common sense.
3 Beg as loud as you can for good common sense.
4 Search for wisdom as you would search for silver or hidden treasure.
5 Then you will understand what it means to respect and to know the LORD God.
6 All wisdom comes from the LORD, and so do common sense and understanding.
7 God gives helpful advice to everyone who obeys him and protects all of those who live as they should.
8 God sees that justice is done, and he watches over everyone who is faithful to him.
9 With wisdom you will learn what is right and honest and fair.
10 Wisdom will control your mind, and you will be pleased with knowledge.
11 Sound judgment and good sense will watch over you.
12 Wisdom will protect you from evil schemes and from those liars
13 who turned from doing good to live in the darkness.
14 Most of all they enjoy being mean and deceitful.
15 They are dishonest themselves, and all they do is crooked.
16 Wisdom will protect you from the smooth talk of a sinful woman,
17 who breaks her wedding vows and leaves the man she married when she was young.
18 The road to her house leads down to the dark world of the dead.
19 Visit her, and you will never find the road to life again.
20 Follow the example of good people and live an honest life.
21 If you are honest and innocent, you will keep your land;
22 if you do wrong and can never be trusted, you will be rooted out.
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.