Rating: 
Summary: Use Only With A Literal Bible!
Review: The CEV is another version amongst a recent spate of "meaning-based" or "Dynamic Equivalent" Bibles, like the New Living Translation, International English Bible, TEV, etc. The language does seem clearer, and Bibles like the CEV are easier to understand, but at what cost? In Acts 8:20, the American Standard Version (ASV) has the word "perish", but the CEV has "Hell." In Luke 16:23, the CEV translates the word "hades" as Hell, but the next time the word "hades" pops up, it is translated as "grave." (Acts 2:27, 31). In 2 Chron 28:3, the place name "Hinnom Valley" is translated properly, but the same place in the Greek "Gehenna" is translated as "Hell." (Matt 5:22) This is a common problem with proper names, as even Tartarus is translated as "hell." (2 Pet. 2:4) Basically put, the meaning-based translator (in this case, Barclay Newman for the most part) has interpreted the text for you. This type of translator does not think that YOU are smart enough to interpret for yourself, so you are being spoon-fed his theology. For instance, the CEV in Ps. 97:7 translates Elohim as "false gods." But the LXX and the Vulgate understood this to refer to angels, just as they did of Elohim at Ps. 138:1, but there the CEV translates it as "angels." Are angels false gods? The bottom line is, use the CEV as it can clear up some difficultly worded passages, but never use it without a more literal Bible.
Rating:
Summary: Use Only With A Literal Bible!
Review: The CEV is another version amongst a recent spate of "meaning-based" or "Dynamic Equivalent" Bibles, like the New Living Translation, International English Bible, TEV, etc. The language does seem clearer, and Bibles like the CEV are easier to understand, but at what cost? In Acts 8:20, the American Standard Version (ASV) has the word "perish", but the CEV has "Hell." In Luke 16:23, the CEV translates the word "hades" as Hell, but the next time the word "hades" pops up, it is translated as "grave." (Acts 2:27, 31). In 2 Chron 28:3, the place name "Hinnom Valley" is translated properly, but the same place in the Greek "Gehenna" is translated as "Hell." (Matt 5:22) This is a common problem with proper names, as even Tartarus is translated as "hell." (2 Pet. 2:4) Basically put, the meaning-based translator (in this case, Barclay Newman for the most part) has interpreted the text for you. This type of translator does not think that YOU are smart enough to interpret for yourself, so you are being spoon-fed his theology. For instance, the CEV in Ps. 97:7 translates Elohim as "false gods." But the LXX and the Vulgate understood this to refer to angels, just as they did of Elohim at Ps. 138:1, but there the CEV translates it as "angels." Are angels false gods? The bottom line is, use the CEV as it can clear up some difficultly worded passages, but never use it without a more literal Bible.
Rating: 
Summary: The CEV: Flawed Perfection
Review: The Contemporary English Version (CEV) is one of the newest English versions of Scripture. The New Testament was released in 1991, with the Old Testament appearing four years later. I was first given a copy of the CEV in 1994 by an old friend of mine at a church I was going to at the time. The CEV has many good qualities. One is that the CEV translators have taken the time to make sure the text reads well out loud and can be heard with any misunderstanding. The translators also did other things that make the CEV unique. Traditional 'Bible' words were rephrased in way to be understandable to modern readers. Examples of this are in Exodus 20:14, were the 7th Commandment is rendered "faithful in marriage" instead of "adultery". However, this simplification of Bible words fails in some places. Two examples of this is in Matthew 6:2a. The clause is rendered in the KJV as:"do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets..." The CEV renders it as: "That's what show-offs do in the meeting places and on the street corners..." This clause has two problems with poor adjectives. "Show-offs" (in my mind) doesn't have the same meaning as hypocrites. "Meeting places" is too ambiguous when trying to describe a synagogue. A meeting place could be anything from a bingo parlor, a bar, a park bench, or a boardroom. Like other recent versions, the CEV is easy to read. This simplicity makes the Bible a joy (or a chore) to read. The CEV uses gender-sensitive language towards people and not towards the Godhead. A recent trend used in the CEV is the precise translation of "the Jews" to refer to the Judean leadership and not to the Jewish people as a whole (see John 20:19 in the CEV and KJV). The CEV is full of footnotes, explaining various terms. I feel the bottom line on the CEV is clear: it's an OK version even with all it's quirks. I recommend it, with reservations.
Rating:
Summary: PLease consider this...
Review: the cover of this book is terrible and not the original one I bought. It was a solid blue cover and then it went on backorder and the flower one is what I got. I had to give it away.
Rating: 
Summary: the truth
Review: The first 4 books are fantastic, and if you really read them, they sem a little out of sync with contemporary religion. But they are an interesting read, dealing with the early Hebrews, mythology, and the God with no name. "Deuteronomy" is not quite on the same level. In fact, it's a few books later until it really hits me as strongly as it did in the early books (if not even harder): The Preacher (Ecclisiastes) really speaks to me, even today. Religion, however, is not about reading, it's about participation. These books do not speak directly to you, christians of the 21st century, but you have much to learn from them. Some writers are concerned with record-keeping, some with obscure prophesy, some with very practical matters. "Psalms" should be sung, not read, we all know this. The new testament must be read in the context of the old, and as such, some of it is contradictory. The writings of Paul are obviously the work of a great mind, but God would want us to realize he was not perfect, and as such we must read these works critically. Approach this not as a book to be left on the shelf. Approach this not as a book to be read without criticism. Approach it as a collection of very old works of people that tried to do the impossible: put the Almighty in a confined book of words. Approach it like this, and you are on the way to the truth.
Rating:
Summary: Great Translation
Review: This modern-day translation takes difficult and arcane versions of the Holy Bible and renders them into everyday, but intelligent English. Still, though, the book itself is based upon an implausible premise, which the elucidated translation is still unable to cover up: There's an invisible, omniscient and omnipotent super-being that created everything, gave his only son to die on the cross, told another guy, Abraham, to kill his own son, and generally behaves like a two year old whose cookie has been taken away when any of his creations displease him. Otherwise, this lordly ruler is a pretty decent fellow, and bestows abundance upon his creations when they blindly follow his every whim. A rather one-dimensional protagonist this "God"; I found Jake Barnes in Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises" to be a more well-rounded, fleshed out character, a much more believeable and tragic hero. However, this book has an awesome ending, full of special effects, the chapter "Revelations," which is sort of a cross between Cecil B. deMille's "The Ten Commandments," Art Bell's book "The Quickening," "Terminator II" and Liszt's "Totentanz." It's sort of like watching "Fantasia" while tripping on acid, only a lot scarier.
Rating:
Summary: Great Translation
Review: This modern-day translation takes difficult and arcane versions of the Holy Bible and renders them into everyday, but intelligent English. Still, though, the book itself is based upon an implausible premise, which the elucidated translation is still unable to cover up: There's an invisible, omniscient and omnipotent super-being that created everything, gave his only son to die on the cross, told another guy, Abraham, to kill his own son, and generally behaves like a two year old whose cookie has been taken away when any of his creations displease him. Otherwise, this lordly ruler is a pretty decent fellow, and bestows abundance upon his creations when they blindly follow his every whim. A rather one-dimensional protagonist this "God"; I found Jake Barnes in Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises" to be a more well-rounded, fleshed out character, a much more believeable and tragic hero. However, this book has an awesome ending, full of special effects, the chapter "Revelations," which is sort of a cross between Cecil B. deMille's "The Ten Commandments," Art Bell's book "The Quickening," "Terminator II" and Liszt's "Totentanz." It's sort of like watching "Fantasia" while tripping on acid, only a lot scarier.
Rating: 
Summary: 1and1/2 stars
Review: This was the latest of 3 versions I read (KJV,NIV). It was an easy read although vague in interpretation like the previous books. Talking serpents, water magically turning to wine, people busrting out of their graves, and suspension of natural laws, and people say I'm crazy for not believing this. I could go into great detail about the errors and contradictions throughout these books, but this would not change the minds of those who are afraid to think for themselves. There is a greater sin than following after fables, and that is not being truthful to yourself. Seek the truth and question everything.
Rating:
Summary: CEV BIBLE
Review: Without going into an extensive review, let me just give you MY
understanding.
1. This Bible is an excellent choice for those just beginning their spiritual journey.
2. This should be used with a concordance for accurate translations of the original Hebrew and Greek languages.
3. As with any other purchase, individual research should be done to make a confident decision. This is CLEARLY such an example. The 'Berkley' edition is a very close contender!
4. The CEV gives clear instruction without the ancient dialog of the King James. Not taking away from the KJ as it is an old standby, but is limited in regard to our language today.
5. Most important to me is the "understandability" of the text.
If I have to ask someone to translate for me, I may as well read the original greek text.
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