« | Psalm 83 | » |
1 (A song and a psalm by Asaph.) Our God, don't just sit there, silently doing nothing!
2 Your hateful enemies are turning against you and rebelling.
3 They are sly, and they plot against those you treasure.
4 They say, "Let's wipe out the nation of Israel and make sure that no one remembers its name!"
5 All of them fully agree in their plans against you, and among them are
6 Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites;
7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia and Phoenicia.
8 Even Assyria has joined forces with Moab and Ammon.
9 Our Lord, punish all of them as you punished Midian. Destroy them, as you destroyed Sisera and Jabin at Kishon Creek
10 near Endor, and let their bodies rot.
11 Treat their leaders as you did Oreb and Zeeb, Zebah and Zalmunna.
12 All of them said, "We'll take God's valuable land!"
13 Our God, scatter them around like dust in a whirlwind.
14 Just as flames destroy forests on the mountains,
15 pursue and terrify them with storms of your own.
16 Make them blush with shame, until they turn and worship you, our LORD.
17 Let them be forever ashamed and confused. Let them die in disgrace.
18 Make them realize that you are the LORD Most High, the only ruler of earth!
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.