« | Psalm 81 | » |
1 (By Asaph for the music leader.) Be happy and shout to God who makes us strong! Shout praises to the God of Jacob.
2 Sing as you play tambourines and the lovely sounding stringed instruments.
3 Sound the trumpets and start the New Moon Festival. We must also celebrate when the moon is full.
4 This is the law in Israel, and it was given to us by the God of Jacob.
5 The descendants of Joseph were told to obey it, when God led them out from the land of Egypt. In a language unknown to me, I heard someone say:
6 "I lifted the burden from your shoulder and took the heavy basket from your hands.
7 When you were in trouble, I rescued you, and from the thunderclouds, I answered your prayers. Later I tested you at Meribah Spring.
8 "Listen, my people, while I, the Lord, correct you! Israel, if you would only pay attention to me!
9 Don't worship foreign gods or bow down to gods you know nothing about.
10 I am the LORD your God. I rescued you from Egypt. Just ask, and I will give you whatever you need.
11 "But, my people, Israel, you refused to listen, and you would have nothing to do with me!
12 So I let you be stubborn and keep on following your own advice.
13 "My people, Israel, if only you would listen and do as I say!
14 I, the LORD, would quickly defeat your enemies with my mighty power.
15 Everyone who hates me would come crawling, and that would be the end of them.
16 But I would feed you with the finest bread and with the best honey until you were full."
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.