The Contemporary English Version of the Bible (CEV) is a translation of the American Bible Society (ABS). The ABS has been around since 1816. The mission of the ABS is to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so all people may experience its life-changing message.

The CEV was first published by the ABS in 1995. Undergirding this translation were studies conducted on how American children effectively read and hear English. So, the CEV is a translation which aims to be understood by those who have little to no experience in reading the Bible.

Using Bob’s Five Bark Bible Review System we shine the spotlight on the Contemporary English Version of the Bible….

1. Trustworthy

The drafting, reviewing, editing, revising, and refining the translation of the Contemporary English Version has been a worldwide process. Over ten years went into that process. The translation team involved a host of persons and translators and consultants: scholars from a wide range of church traditions; experts in Old Testament, New Testament, Hebrew language, Greek language, English language, linguistics, and poetry.

In all, the ten-year process involved more than a hundred people in the various stages of the text creation and review process. What’s more, the work was carried out with constant prayer for the guidance of the Spirit of God. That, my friends, is how you get an accurate, faithful, and trustworthy version of the Bible.

The ABS has been at this work for a long time. My own experience of them has been exemplary. Over the years I have solicited their assistance in providing Bibles for groups who are exploring the Scriptures for the first time. They have graciously provided inexpensive Bibles along with their prayers.

When you have first rate people doing due diligence to their craft, it doesn’t get any more trustworthy than that.

Bob gives a happy “bark” for the trustworthy CEV.

2. Understandable

Since this was a major goal of the translation team, there are high expectations. When I first started reading the CEV several years ago, I immediately went back and checked whether this was a full-fledged translation of the original texts. The CEV read much like a transliteration, such as the Living Bible or the Message. I was amazed at how well the CEV brought solid translation work coupled with an equally solid level of understandability for those outside the Christian fold.

Since I adore the biblical psalms, I always read several of them when evaluating a translation’s handling of Hebrew poetry. I must say that sustained reading of the psalms in the CEV has certainly advanced my own understanding of the text. There are few translations I can say that about. My favorite psalm is Psalm 121. Check out this rendering in the CEV:

I look to the hills!
Where will I find help?
It will come from the Lord,
who created the heavens
and the earth.

The Lord is your protector,
and he won’t go to sleep
or let you stumble.
The protector of Israel
doesn’t doze
or ever get drowsy.

The Lord is your protector,
there at your right side
to shade you from the sun.
You won’t be harmed
by the sun during the day
or by the moon at night.

The Lord will protect you
and keep you safe
from all dangers.
The Lord will protect you
now and always
wherever you go.

After reading that, Bob’s eyes are even more bloodshot than usual.

Bob gives a touching “bark” to the CEV’s ability to help readers understand the Bible.

3. Readable

There’s more to a Bible than just translation. The way any one Bible is packaged can make the difference between getting read or left on a shelf to get dusty.

For most versions of the Bible, inexpensive usually means cheap paper, small font, and small margins. Not so with the CEV. If you are looking for the best bang for your buck, then the CEV is for you. Their commitment to accessible and affordable Bibles for everyone has them not skimping on reading essentials. Just make sure you always look at any Bible before purchasing to ensure ease of reading for your eyes.

However, if you are looking for a top-shelf Bible, such as genuine calf-skin leather, gold edging, and red letters, then you’ll need to look elsewhere. Think of the CEV as a Bible for the people. It just might be the kind of Bible version that Jesus would pick up and use if he were still physically present on this earth.

The CEV comes in several editions, including a nice larger print Bible. And they are all affordable. There are some first edition CEV Bible out there which are going for a hefty price – steer clear of those, unless you a serious collector. As for me, I personally like collecting Bibles to read, and not for sitting behind some glass bookcase.

Bob gives the CEV a “bark” for being readable.

4. Durable

I have owned my share of Bibles that have eventually had pages falling out of them. In our opinion, eternal words ought to at least have the chance of surviving on more than flimsy binding.

Most CEV Bibles have adequate binding. Pages aren’t going to go falling out on you after few months or year of reading. Yet, if the CEV becomes your “go to” Bible for reading, and you are a daily reader, then just know that you will likely go through a few of them in your life.

Bob gives a “bark” for the CEV’s durability.

5. Attractive

A beautiful message deserves to be contained in an attractive cover. In my opinion, most CEV editions are handsomely simple. That makes sense to me, since the CEV seeks to reach the masses. The CEV might not jump out of the shelf at you, but neither will it cause you to not pull it out and give it a read.

With the CEV, the message and the method are effectively together in a Bible cover that reflects its values. I don’t think you can ask for anything better than that.

Bob gives the CEV a “bark” for being attractive, not ostentatious.

 

Well, there you have it. According to Bob the bloodhound’s Five Bark Bible Review System, we give the Contemporary English Version of the Bible a well-deserved 5 Barks out of 5.

The CEV might not be the best-selling Bible out there, but maybe it should be.

Thanks, American Bible Society, for giving us English readers a Bible that is truly for the people.