« | Psalm 136 | » |
1 Praise the LORD! He is good. God's love never fails.
2 Praise the God of all gods. God's love never fails.
3 Praise the Lord of lords. God's love never fails.
4 Only God works great miracles. God's love never fails.
5 With wisdom he made the sky. God's love never fails.
6 The Lord stretched the earth over the ocean. God's love never fails.
7 He made the bright lights in the sky. God's love never fails.
8 He lets the sun rule each day. God's love never fails.
9 He lets the moon and the stars rule each night. God's love never fails.
10 God struck down the first-born in every Egyptian family. God's love never fails.
11 He rescued Israel from Egypt. God's love never fails.
12 God used his great strength and his powerful arm. God's love never fails.
13 He split the Red Sea apart. God's love never fails.
14 The Lord brought Israel safely through the sea. God's love never fails.
15 He destroyed the Egyptian king and his army there. God's love never fails.
16 The Lord led his people through the desert. God's love never fails.
17 Our God defeated mighty kings. God's love never fails.
18 And he killed famous kings. God's love never fails.
19 One of them was Sihon, king of the Amorites. God's love never fails.
20 Another was King Og of Bashan. God's love never fails.
21 God took away their land. God's love never fails.
22 He gave their land to Israel, the people who serve him. God's love never fails.
23 God saw the trouble we were in. God's love never fails.
24 He rescued us from our enemies. God's love never fails.
25 He gives food to all who live. God's love never fails.
26 Praise God in heaven! God's love never fails.
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.