« | Psalm 66 | » |
1 (A song and a psalm for the music leader.) Tell everyone on this earth to shout praises to God!
2 Sing about his glorious name. Honor him with praises.
3 Say to God, "Everything you do is fearsome, and your mighty power makes your enemies come crawling.
4 You are worshiped by everyone! We all sing praises to you."
5 Come and see the fearsome things our God has done!
6 When God made the sea dry up, our people walked across, and because of him, we celebrated there.
7 His mighty power rules forever, and nothing the nations do can be hidden from him. So don't turn against God.
8 All of you people, come praise our God! Let his praises be heard.
9 God protects us from death and keeps us steady.
10 Our God, you tested us, just as silver is tested.
11 You trapped us in a net and gave us heavy burdens.
12 You sent war chariots to crush our skulls. We traveled through fire and through floods, but you brought us to a land of plenty.
13 I will bring sacrifices into your house, my God, and I will do what I promised
14 when I was in trouble.
15 I will sacrifice my best sheep and offer bulls and goats on your altar.
16 All who worship God, come here and listen; I will tell you everything God has done for me.
17 I prayed to the Lord, and I praised him.
18 If my thoughts had been sinful, he would have refused to hear me.
19 But God did listen and answered my prayer.
20 Let's praise God! He listened when I prayed, and he is always kind.
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.