« | Proverbs 7 | » |
1 My son, pay close attention and don't forget what I tell you to do.
2 Obey me, and you will live! Let my instructions be your greatest treasure.
3 Keep them at your fingertips and write them in your mind.
4 Let wisdom be your sister and make common sense your closest friend.
5 They will protect you from the flattering words of someone else's wife.
6 From the window of my house, I once happened to see
7 some foolish young men.
8 It was late in the evening, sometime after dark.
9 One of these young men turned the corner and was walking by the house of an unfaithful wife.
10 She was dressed fancy like a woman of the street with only one thing in mind.
11 She was one of those women who are loud and restless and never stay at home,
12 who walk street after street, waiting to trap a man.
13 She grabbed him and kissed him, and with no sense of shame, she said:
14 "I had to offer a sacrifice, and there is enough meat left over for a feast.
15 So I came looking for you, and here you are!
16 The sheets on my bed are bright-colored cloth from Egypt.
17 And I have covered it with perfume made of myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 "Let's go there and make love all night.
19 My husband is traveling, and he's far away.
20 He took a lot of money along, and he won't be back home before the middle of the month."
21 And so, she tricked him with all of her sweet talk and her flattery.
22 Right away he followed her like an ox on the way to be slaughtered, or like a fool on the way to be punished
23 and killed with arrows. He was no more than a bird rushing into a trap, without knowing it would cost him his life.
24 My son, pay close attention to what I have said.
25 Don't even think about that kind of woman or let yourself be misled by someone like her.
26 Such a woman has caused the downfall and destruction of a lot of men.
27 Her house is a one-way street leading straight down to the world of the dead.
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.