Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Bible-especially for children
Review: I am writing this specifically regarding the translation, since I have not spent much time looking through the entire volume.I bought two copies, for use in Children's Church, ages 1-11. Although this is not a "children's translation" it is probably the easiest translation to understand, even easier than the Children's edition of the NIV and the Living Translation. I particularly recommend it for people with limited language ability, although it looks like it would be useful for general use too.
Rating: 
Summary: the King James Version is far superior
Review: I love the word of God. Although this version I do not agree with because of the errors compared to the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. I don't believe in footnotes that cast doubt on my Father's word. Too many verses are removed because the translators from the Latin manuscripts, of which this version came, simply did not believe the scripture and admit this. God promised to preserve his holy Scriptures unto all generations. That means it will be perfect. But the enemy has made his own translations because he is crafty and slick, he thought we would never notice. But if one compares this with the King James Version which was printed in 1611 and manuscripts agree with it back even to 150 A.D., we really cannot go wrong with the King James Version, it is preserved and perfect. Because they are all so different, there can only be one. If you have not my Spirit, this will make little sense to you, but if you are born again, please pray to the Father and study to show yourself approved.
Rating: 
Summary: PLease consider this...
Review: I really must write a bit regarding a previous reviewer whose understanding of language, translation, and how God MUST act in the preservation and transmission of the Bible is dubious and therefore potentialy misleading. The so-called "Majority Text" upon which the KJV is based was at the time of its' translation a collection of ancient texts, the best available at that time. But it was not one manuscript. Since then, older and more accurate writings were found. Some people would have us believe that unless a manuscript was preserved to the knowledge of Western (English?) believers somehow God's Word was lost. This is nonsense at best, arrogance at worst. The KJV is a very good translation. Regarding the CEV, it too is an admirable effort by people commited to the transmission of God's Word into English as used today from the best mansucripts available.
Rating:
Summary: Buy the Internation Standard Version of God's Word instead
Review: In 1985 Barclay Newman organized a three-person translation team to produce a Bible for children between five and nine years of age. Not too long after that, the scope of his translation went beyond simply a children's Bible and became the Contemporary English Version (CEV). About 100 other consultants, scholars, reading experts and translators from around the world helped produce the CEV. However, the CEV is not simply another easy-to-read Bible version. The translation team also wanted to produce a Bible for people who depend on hearing the text, not only reading it. Thus, the CEV translators spent hours reading their work aloud. They printed lines of poetry in short phrases; editors changed punctuation and chose words for their smooth rhythm and grace. In this reviewer's opinion, the CEV in this area did succeed: most other modern Bible version cannot compare in rhythm and smoothness. Among the modern versions, only the NJB and New Living Translation (NLT) read more beautifully and nobly. Unfortunately, the CEV is worse that any other Bible in accuracy to the original texts--even worse that Today's English Version! The CEV is simply too simple; this causes the CEV to be inaccurate through the loss of nuance, if not mistranslated. The CEV's preface quotes Luther justifying its translation style. "Whoever would speak German must not use Hebrew style. Rather he must see to it-once he understands the Hebrew author-that he concentrates on the sense of the text, asking himself 'Pray tell, what do the Germans say in such a situation?' Once he has the German words to serve his purpose, let him drop the Hebrew words and express the meaning freely in the best German he knows." Perhaps the CEV's translators--for the sake of text accuracy--should have listened to Luther's words on translating a bit more. "On the other hand I have not just gone ahead anyway and disre-garded alto-gether the exact wording of the original. Rather with my helpers I have been very careful to see that where everything turns on a single passage, I have kept to the original quite literally and have not lightly departed from it. . . . I preferred to do violence to the German language rather than to depart from the word." The CEV also acknowledges contemporary concern for gender-neutral language. For example, CEV translators have translated "sons of Israel" according to its actual meaning: "people of Israel." However, they did not do away with masculine pronouns when referring to God. Yet the translators did neuter some passages that specifically refer only to males, and often used plural nouns and pronouns to avoid using the singular him, he, or his. The translators went too far in their gender neutering, changing the meaning of God's Word. In the CEV 1 John 3:17 reads: If we have all we need and see one of our own people in need, we must have pity on that person, or else we cannot say we love God. (CEV) The CEV receives an F in accuracy but a B+ in readability. In short, this version is not worth buying; save your money. For an easy-to-read version buy the International Satandard Version of God's Word. For serious study, buy the New American Standard Bible.
Rating:
Summary: The best of the "meaning for meaning" translations
Review: My first impression of the CEV is that it is an excellent translation which faithfully captures the original languages. In the "meaning for meaning" category, 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 appreciated the way in which the text has been set out, particularly, in poetry passages. It is simply a pleasure to read (Compare this with the poor way in which the NRSV has for the most part been set out.) 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, and yet are we really doing justice to the language of the Bible if we make everything as simple as all that? The translators of the CEV have succeeded in making the Bible intelligible. Is that the translator's role? Is the Bible not very often obscure? Where it is, are we translating it if we simplify it? When I read Paul in Greek, I battle to understand what he is talking about, and not because my Greek is poor. Should our English translations not preserve difficulties where they exist in the original? Why should the Bible be intelligible to modern readers if it remained obscure to the ancients? Another problem is the resultant English style that is imposed on all the books of the Bible. A good literal translation at least allows one to distinguish certain elements of style within a given writer. With the CEV one cannot tell any difference in style between the author of Genesis and the author of the Revelation. 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 few insignificant misgivings, I am pleased to have been introduced to the CEV. I have tried it out in my Sunday services and it certainly sounds good when read aloud. Take note of the brilliant translation of Deut 6.20 where the parent's language to his child is rendered in a simple - even childlike - manner. Also Luke 8 where Legion is translated as "Lot" because there are "Lots" of us.
Rating:
Summary: The Word of God
Review: The Bible is book containing various, stories, letters, poetry, songs and important historical accounts of various people sacred to the Jewish and Christian religions. Within all of this contain moral teachings and a profound understanding of the human spirit. This book is a guide for us all.
It is an extremely complicated book and much understanding is needed of the context in which much of it is written. One cannot simply read it cover to cover and say they understand it. There is much to be learnt and understood. Off-handed judgments applied from modern context are not applicable.
The book depicts many historical figures the most important of whom is Jesus Christ, believed by many to be the son of God. This book has had a profound influence on many human cultures and the many historical events within provide a rationale for the faith; it is not on empty faith that Christians believe, nor is it a product of irrational neurological impulse. God is not a product of the mind; denial of God however, is ego driven and irrational product of 19C scientific discoveries that are irrelevant to religious experience. The Bible and the religions that grew out of the teaching have provided a wonderful and successful cultural framework for many centuries of human experience throughout the world. While the faith is temporarily suffering decline in Western nations, it is growing at a large rate in third world nations oppressed by the brutality of Western experience which is largely the result of social Darwinism.
Babies fixate on the all-powerful, all-providing, all-knowing parent figure. This continues into adulthood as humans discover that like a young child, humans to have a creator that loves them unconditionally. Most humans believe in God and this belief is enshrined and celebrated in many cultures. Humankind projects many positive feelings onto God, the father, providing humans fulfillment, love and happiness in life. Much of the evil in this world is projected onto an angel called Satan who whether real or an imagined representation exists as the evil in this world, something Jewish and Christians must fight against.
To believe this book as the word of God is rational; testament to this is found within the evidence for the resurrection of Christ and the many followers who recorded and continued Christ's teachings, even under heavy persecution. Jews and Christians acknowledge that the Bible was written by man but know that they were divinely inspired. The Bible includes many characters, good and bad and shows that many of the prophets were not perfect. The fact that their faults were shown is further testament to its authenticity. As said in Psalm 14:1, "The fool says in his heart, `There is no God.'" This has a lot of relevance today.
Why lie to yourself about the existence of God when there is scientific, philosophical and a rational basis for belief? God created the human mind and allowed us the freedom of choice, therefore giving us the capacity to reject him and deify ourselves. God created man. Every human on earth is capable of knowing God and loving him.
There is historical evidence plenty of historical evidence for the existence of Jesus Christ and plenty of evidence for his resurrection, providing a rational basis for the belief that he is the son of God. Humans wish to make sense of suffering. God so loved the world that he gave his only son so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but may have eternal life. John 3:16
Christianity is a religion based on rational evidence enabling mankind to:
- understand their own suffering
- come to terms with their own suffering
- grow as people and love
- know God
Among others.
The Bible and Christianity came about because of God:
The Bible gives us guidance and enables us to understand the world around us and our purpose within it. Give us moral guidance for living, preventing mankind from slipping into moral turpitude and learning to know and love each other and God.
Humans who deny God do so because of pride and self-importance and egotism about their own worth. Atheism is simply an irrational dismissal of revealed truth.
If all of humankind were extinguished God would still exist. Man denies God out of egotism, vanity, insecurity, folly and the desire to manipulate.
Chances are that people who dislike this review will promptly generate ever more fierce and tight circles of religious non-belief and thought-loops in order to dismiss it.
On 7th day, God created man in his image. Whether literal or an example, this holds true to this day for our place in this world. Read widely, hold on to the good. The Bible and its teachings will always be there when you need it. Acknowledge God and choose to follow him.
Rating:
Summary: The best of the easy to read Bibles
Review: The CEV Bible is clear,accurate,and to the point.it says
God's words in a simple format that is a joy to read for
all ages.I highly recommend this Bible for devotional
reading to better understand scripture than the historical Bibles.
Robert-San Antonio,TX
Rating:
Summary: GREAT BIBLE FOR FIRST TIME BIBLE READERS
Review: THE CEV BIBLE IS EASY TO READ,YET IS NOT A PARAPHRASE.
IT IS A ACCURATE THOUGHT FOR THOUGHT BIBLE THAT USES SIMPLE EVERYDAY
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.IT IS READER FRIENDLY AND GREAT FOR THOSE WHO
WANT TO READ THE BIBLE FOR THE FIRST TIME.
ROBERT-SAN ANTONIO,TX
Rating:
Summary: One of the better of the "meaning for meaning" translations
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Clear and Accurate Translation of God's Word
Review: The CEV is a modern translation that faithfully represents the meanings of scripture in simplified modern English, with an emphasis on being heard clearly when read aloud. I am not new to scripture, but I find that this Bible forces me to reconsider familiar passages. A comparison of the text to the NAS, a faithful literal translation, shows that the CEV has also represented the concepts faithfully. Although I am not a scholar of the original languages, I have taken many "difficult" passages and compared the text of the CEV with what commentaries and other translations have to say. The CEV always shows itself to be a faithful representative of the original meaning. In addition, the CEV represents gender accurately. This is an excellent choice for those new to scripture and for those seeking to look at it with fresh eyes.
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