« | Psalm 37 | » |
1 (By David.) Don't be annoyed by anyone who does wrong, and don't envy them.
2 They will soon disappear like grass without rain.
3 Trust the LORD and live right! The land will be yours, and you will be safe.
4 Do what the LORD wants, and he will give you your heart's desire.
5 Let the LORD lead you and trust him to help.
6 Then it will be as clear as the noonday sun that you were right.
7 Be patient and trust the LORD. Don't let it bother you when all goes well for those who do sinful things.
8 Don't be angry or furious. Anger can lead to sin.
9 All sinners will disappear, but if you trust the LORD, the land will be yours.
10 Sinners will soon disappear, never to be found,
11 but the poor will take the land and enjoy a big harvest.
12 Merciless people make plots against good people and snarl like animals,
13 but the Lord laughs and knows their time is coming soon.
14 The wicked kill with swords and shoot arrows to murder the poor and the needy and all who do right.
15 But they will be killed by their own swords, and their arrows will be broken.
16 It is better to live right and be poor than to be sinful and rich.
17 The wicked will lose all of their power, but the LORD gives strength to everyone who is good.
18 Those who obey the LORD are daily in his care, and what he has given them will be theirs forever.
19 They won't be in trouble when times are bad, and they will have plenty when food is scarce.
20 Wicked people are enemies of the LORD and will vanish like smoke from a field on fire.
21 An evil person borrows and never pays back; a good person is generous and never stops giving.
22 Everyone the LORD blesses will receive the land; everyone the LORD curses will be destroyed.
23 If you do what the LORD wants, he will make certain each step you take is sure.
24 The LORD will hold your hand, and if you stumble, you still won't fall.
25 As long as I can remember, good people have never been left helpless, and their children have never gone begging for food.
26 They gladly give and lend, and their children turn out good.
27 If you stop sinning and start doing right, you will keep living and be secure forever.
28 The LORD loves justice, and he won't ever desert his faithful people. He always protects them, but destroys the children of the wicked.
29 God's people will own the land and live here forever.
30 Words of wisdom come when good people speak for justice.
31 They remember God's teachings, and they never take a wrong step.
32 The wicked try to trap and kill good people,
33 but the LORD is on their side, and he will defend them when they are on trial.
34 Trust the LORD and follow him. He will give you the land, and you will see the wicked destroyed.
35 I have seen brutal people abuse others and grow strong like trees in rich soil.
36 Suddenly they disappeared! I looked, but they were gone and no longer there.
37 Think of the bright future waiting for all the families of honest and innocent and peace-loving people.
38 But not a trace will be left of the wicked or their families.
39 The LORD protects his people, and they can come to him in times of trouble.
40 The LORD helps them and saves them from the wicked because they run to him.
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.