« | Isaiah 24 | » |
1 The LORD is going to twist the earth out of shape and turn it into a desert. Everyone will be scattered,
2 including ordinary people and priests, slaves and slave owners, buyers and sellers, lenders and borrowers, the rich and the poor.
3 The earth will be stripped bare and left that way. This is what the LORD has promised.
4 The earth wilts away; its mighty leaders melt to nothing.
5 The earth is polluted because its people disobeyed the laws of God, breaking their agreement that was to last forever.
6 The earth is under a curse; its people are dying out because of their sins.
7 Grapevines have dried up: wine is almost gone-- mournful sounds are heard instead of joyful shouts.
8 No one plays tambourines or stringed instruments; all noisy celebrating has come to an end.
9 They no longer sing as they drink their wine, and it tastes sour.
10 Towns are crushed and in chaos; houses are locked tight.
11 Happy times have disappeared from the earth, and people shout in the streets, "We're out of wine!"
12 Cities are destroyed; their gates are torn down.
13 Nations will be stripped bare, like olive trees or vineyards after the harvest season.
14 People in the west shout; they joyfully praise the majesty of the LORD.
15 And so, everyone in the east and those on the islands should praise the LORD, the God of Israel.
16 From all over the world songs of praise are heard for the God of justice. But I feel awful, terribly miserable. Can anyone be trusted? So many are treacherous!
17 Terror, traps, and pits are waiting for everyone.
18 If you are terrified and run, you will fall into a pit; if you crawl out of the pit, you will get caught in a trap. The sky has split apart like a window thrown open. The foundations of the earth have been shaken;
19 the earth is shattered, ripped to pieces.
20 It staggers and shakes like a drunkard or a hut in a windstorm. It is burdened down with sin; the earth will fall, never again to get up.
21 On that day the LORD will punish the powers in the heavens and the kings of the earth.
22 He will put them in a pit and keep them prisoner. Then later on, he will punish them.
23 The moon and sun will both be embarrassed and ashamed. The LORD All-Powerful will rule on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, where he will show its rulers his wonderful glory.
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.