« | Psalm 90 | » |
1 (A prayer by Moses, the man of God.) Our Lord, in all generations you have been our home.
2 You have always been God-- long before the birth of the mountains, even before you created the earth and the world.
3 At your command we die and turn back to dust,
4 but a thousand years mean nothing to you! They are merely a day gone by or a few hours in the night.
5 You bring our lives to an end just like a dream. We are merely tender grass
6 that sprouts and grows in the morning, but dries up by evening.
7 Your furious anger frightens and destroys us,
8 and you know all of our sins, even those we do in secret.
9 Your anger is a burden each day we live, then life ends like a sigh.
10 We can expect seventy years, or maybe eighty, if we are healthy, but even our best years bring trouble and sorrow. Suddenly our time is up, and we disappear.
11 No one knows the full power of your furious anger, but it is as great as the fear that we owe to you.
12 Teach us to use wisely all the time we have.
13 Help us, LORD! Don't wait! Pity your servants.
14 When morning comes, let your love satisfy all our needs. Then we can celebrate and be glad for what time we have left.
15 Make us happy for as long as you caused us trouble and sorrow.
16 Do wonderful things for us, your servants, and show your mighty power to our children.
17 Our Lord and our God, treat us with kindness and let all go well for us. Please let all go well!
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.