The Contemporary English Version (CEV)
Overview
The Contemporary English Version has been described as a "user-friendly" and a "mission-driven" translation that can be read aloud without stumbling, heard without misunderstanding, and listened to with enjoyment and appreciation, because the language is contemporary and the style is lucid and lyrical. The Contemporary English version is not a paraphrase, but an accurate and faithful translation of the original manuscripts.
With the Logos Bible Software edition, every word in The Contemporary English Version is linked to your entire library. Want to know more about Elijah? Just double-click the word and Logos automatically opens up an entry in your preferred dictionary. Curious about the meaning of baptism? Just right-click the word and choose Bible Word Study from the drop-down box. Logos takes your Bible study to the next level by putting all your resources only a mouse-click away.
- Understandable and appealing
- Accessable in an easy-to-use digital format
Most Highlighted Verses in The Contemporary English Version
Leviticus 11:45: I brought you out of Egypt so that I could be your God. Now you must become holy, because I am holy!
Judges 14:4: At that time, the Philistines were in control of Israel, and the Lord wanted to stir up trouble for them. That’s why he made Samson desire that woman.
Psalm 89:11: The heavens and the earth belong to you. And so does the world with all its people because you created them
John 5:24: I tell you for certain that everyone who hears my message and has faith in the one who sent me has eternal life and will never be condemned. They have already gone from death to life.
John 8:51: I tell you for certain that if you obey my words, you will never die.”
Romans 2:6–8: God will reward each of us for what we have done. He will give eternal life to everyone who has patiently done what is good in the hope of receiving glory, honor, and life that lasts forever. But he will show how angry and furious he can be with every selfish person who rejects the truth and wants to do evil.
Romans 10:9–10: So you will be saved, if you honestly say, “Jesus is Lord,” and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death. God will accept you and save you, if you truly believe this and tell it to others.
Galatians 1:10: I am not trying to please people. I want to please God. Do you think I am trying to please people? If I were doing that, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Ephesians 4:11–13: Christ chose some of us to be apostles, prophets, missionaries, pastors, and teachers, so that his people would learn to serve and his body would grow strong. This will continue until we are united by our faith and by our understanding of the Son of God. Then we will be mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him.
1 Peter 1:5–6: You have faith in God, whose power will protect you until the last day. Then he will save you, just as he has always planned to do. On that day you will be glad, even if you have to go through many hard trials for a while.
Reviews
45 ratings
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Chad W Smith
12/19/2021
Logosed
7/10/2020
The CEV falls into the "meaning for meaning" category of translations. On the whole it succeeds as it avoids the tendency among similar translations to elaborate where there is no real need to do so. The economic use of the English language is a triumph. I also appreciate the way in which the text has been set out, particularly, in poetry passages. My objections to the translation have more to do with my general reservation about the type of translation than with the CEV in particular. The desire to render the Bible in modern English can result is a great deal of de-theologizing. Key theological terms like "redemption" and "justification" are rendered by such English phrases as "set free" and "put right". This type of translation has its benefits but often the result is oversimpification. At times the translation fails, such as in John 3:5 CEV "You must be born not only by water but by the spirit". Here the CEV sets birth by water against birth by the spirit and yet in Greek they can only be taken together since a single preposition governs the phrase. Despite these misgivings, I am pleased to have been introduced to the CEV. I have tried it out and it sounds good when read aloud. Take note of the translation of Deut 6.20 where the parent's language to his child is rendered in a childlike manner. Also Luke 8 where Legion is translated as "Lot" because there are "Lots" of us.
Gregg Lamm
11/2/2018
Gloria Wade
10/3/2018
Roderick Merritt
9/24/2018
Dean Antony Brennan
6/3/2018
Rev. Dr. Dustin T Parker
4/21/2018
Jeff Brinks
12/27/2017
Wayne Morgan M. Div
9/6/2017
I use this a great alternative for the NASB. I know the NASB is as close to the true text from the Greek as one can get however for todays hearers, it makes for a great version. I recommend this version to my colleagues trying to speak the truth to today's listeners
Jonathan Spilger
8/9/2017
Leaves much to be desired... I'm not the biggest fan of a paraphrase in general, but if you're going to make one at least try to paraphrase close to what the passage means.
