« | Psalm 96 | » |
1 Sing a new song to the LORD! Everyone on this earth, sing praises to the LORD,
2 sing and praise his name. Day after day announce, "The LORD has saved us!"
3 Tell every nation on earth, "The LORD is wonderful and does marvelous things!
4 The LORD is great and deserves our greatest praise! He is the only God worthy of our worship.
5 Other nations worship idols, but the LORD created the heavens.
6 Give honor and praise to the LORD, whose power and beauty fill his holy temple."
7 Tell everyone of every nation, "Praise the glorious power of the LORD.
8 He is wonderful! Praise him and bring an offering into his temple.
9 Everyone on earth, now tremble and worship the LORD, majestic and holy."
10 Announce to the nations, "The LORD is King! The world stands firm, never to be shaken, and he will judge its people with fairness."
11 Tell the heavens and the earth to be glad and celebrate! Command the ocean to roar with all of its creatures
12 and the fields to rejoice with all of their crops. Then every tree in the forest will sing joyful songs
13 to the LORD. He is coming to judge all people on earth with fairness and truth.
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.