« | Psalm 35 | » |
1 (A psalm by David.) Fight my enemies, LORD! Attack my attackers!
2 Shield me and help me.
3 Aim your spear at everyone who hunts me down, but promise to save me.
4 Let all who want to kill me be disappointed and disgraced. Chase away and confuse all who plan to harm me.
5 Send your angel after them and let them be like straw in the wind.
6 Make them run in the dark on a slippery road, as your angel chases them.
7 I did them no harm, but they hid a net to trap me, and they dug a deep pit to catch and kill me.
8 Surprise them with disaster! Trap them in their own nets and let them fall and rot in the pits they have dug.
9 I will celebrate and be joyful because you, LORD, have saved me.
10 Every bone in my body will shout: "No one is like the LORD!" You protect the helpless from those in power; you save the poor and needy from those who hurt them.
11 Liars accuse me of crimes I know nothing about.
12 They repay evil for good, and I feel all alone.
13 When they were sick, I wore sackcloth and went without food. I truly prayed for them,
14 as I would for a friend or a relative. I was in sorrow and mourned, as I would for my mother.
15 I have stumbled, and worthless liars I don't even know surround me and sneer.
16 Worthless people make fun and never stop laughing.
17 But all you do is watch! When will you do something? Save me from the attack of those vicious lions.
18 And when your people meet, I will praise you and thank you, Lord, in front of them all.
19 Don't let my brutal enemies be glad because of me. They hate me for no reason. Don't let them wink behind my back.
20 They say hurtful things, and they lie to people who want to live in peace.
21 They are quick to accuse me. They say, "You did it! We saw you ourselves."
22 You see everything, LORD! Please don't keep silent or stay so far away.
23 Fight to defend me, Lord God,
24 and prove that I am right by your standards. Don't let them laugh at me
25 or say to each other, "Now we've got what we want! We'll gobble him down!"
26 Disappoint and confuse all who are glad to see me in trouble, but disgrace and embarrass my proud enemies who say to me, "You are nothing!"
27 Let all who want me to win be happy and joyful. From now on let them say, "The LORD is wonderful! God is glad when all goes well for his servant."
28 Then I will shout all day, "Praise the LORD God! He did what was right."
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.