« | Psalm 107 | » |
1 Shout praises to the LORD! He is good to us, and his love never fails.
2 Everyone the LORD has rescued from trouble should praise him,
3 everyone he has brought from the east and the west, the north and the south.
4 Some of you were lost in the scorching desert, far from a town.
5 You were hungry and thirsty and about to give up.
6 You were in serious trouble, but you prayed to the LORD, and he rescued you.
7 Right away he brought you to a town.
8 You should praise the LORD for his love and for the wonderful things he does for all of us.
9 To everyone who is thirsty, he gives something to drink; to everyone who is hungry, he gives good things to eat.
10 Some of you were prisoners suffering in deepest darkness and bound by chains,
11 because you had rebelled against God Most High and refused his advice.
12 You were worn out from working like slaves, and no one came to help.
13 You were in serious trouble, but you prayed to the LORD, and he rescued you.
14 He brought you out of the deepest darkness and broke your chains.
15 You should praise the LORD for his love and for the wonderful things he does for all of us.
16 He breaks down bronze gates and shatters iron locks.
17 Some of you had foolishly committed a lot of sins and were in terrible pain.
18 The very thought of food was disgusting to you, and you were almost dead.
19 You were in serious trouble, but you prayed to the LORD, and he rescued you.
20 By the power of his own word, he healed you and saved you from destruction.
21 You should praise the LORD for his love and for the wonderful things he does for all of us.
22 You should celebrate by offering sacrifices and singing joyful songs to tell what he has done.
23 Some of you made a living by sailing the mighty sea,
24 and you saw the miracles the LORD performed there.
25 At his command a storm arose, and waves covered the sea.
26 You were tossed to the sky and to the ocean depths, until things looked so bad that you lost your courage.
27 You staggered like drunkards and gave up all hope.
28 You were in serious trouble, but you prayed to the LORD, and he rescued you.
29 He made the storm stop and the sea be quiet.
30 You were happy because of this, and he brought you to the port where you wanted to go.
31 You should praise the LORD for his love and for the wonderful things he does for all of us.
32 Honor the LORD when you and your leaders meet to worship.
33 If you start doing wrong, the LORD will turn rivers into deserts,
34 flowing streams into scorched land, and fruitful fields into beds of salt.
35 But the LORD can also turn deserts into lakes and scorched land into flowing streams.
36 If you are hungry, you can settle there and build a town.
37 You can plant fields and vineyards that produce a good harvest.
38 The LORD will bless you with many children and with herds of cattle.
39 Sometimes you may be crushed by troubles and sorrows, until only a few of you are left to survive.
40 But the LORD will take revenge on those who conquer you, and he will make them wander across desert sands.
41 When you are suffering and in need, he will come to your rescue, and your families will grow as fast as a herd of sheep.
42 You will see this because you obey the LORD, but everyone who is wicked will be silenced.
43 Be wise! Remember this and think about the kindness of the LORD.
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.