« | Psalm 118 | » |
1 Tell the LORD how thankful you are, because he is kind and always merciful.
2 Let Israel shout, "God is always merciful!"
3 Let the family of Aaron the priest shout, "God is always merciful!"
4 Let every true worshiper of the LORD shout, "God is always merciful!"
5 When I was really hurting, I prayed to the LORD. He answered my prayer, and took my worries away.
6 The LORD is on my side, and I am not afraid of what others can do to me.
7 With the LORD on my side, I will defeat all of my hateful enemies.
8 It is better to trust the LORD for protection than to trust anyone else,
9 including strong leaders.
10 Nations surrounded me, but I got rid of them by the power of the LORD.
11 They attacked from all sides, but I got rid of them by the power of the LORD.
12 They swarmed around like bees, but by the power of the LORD, I got rid of them and their fiery sting.
13 Their attacks were so fierce that I nearly fell, but the LORD helped me.
14 My power and my strength come from the LORD, and he has saved me.
15 From the tents of God's people come shouts of victory: "The LORD is powerful!
16 With his mighty arm the LORD wins victories! The LORD is powerful!"
17 And so my life is safe, and I will live to tell what the LORD has done.
18 He punished me terribly, but he did not let death lay its hands on me.
19 Open the gates of justice! I will enter and tell the LORD how thankful I am.
20 Here is the gate of the LORD! Everyone who does right may enter this gate.
21 I praise the LORD for answering my prayers and saving me.
22 The stone that the builders tossed aside has now become the most important stone.
23 The LORD has done this, and it is amazing to us.
24 This day belongs to the LORD! Let's celebrate and be glad today.
25 We'll ask the LORD to save us! We'll sincerely ask the LORD to let us win.
26 God bless the one who comes in the name of the LORD! We praise you from here in the house of the LORD.
27 The LORD is our God, and he has given us light! Start the celebration! March with palm branches all the way to the altar.
28 The LORD is my God! I will praise him and tell him how thankful I am.
29 Tell the LORD how thankful you are, because he is kind and always merciful.
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.