Tag Archives: Common English Bible

Common English Bible: Translation Comparisons

1 Dec

I am a member of the Common English Bible (CEB) blog tour that is running through the end of January.  The publishers of the CEB have this to say about this new version:

The Common English Bible is not simply a revision or update of an existing translation. It is a bold new translation designed to meet the needs of Christians as they work to build a strong and meaningful relationship with God through Jesus Christ. 

A key goal of the translation team is to make the Bible accessible to a broad range of people; it’s written at a comfortable level for over half of all English readers. As the translators do their work, reading specialists working with seventy-seven reading groups from more than a dozen denominations review the texts to ensure a smooth and natural reading experience. Easy readability can enhance church worship and participation, and personal Bible study. It also encourages children and youth to discover the Bible for themselves, perhaps for the very first time. 
To help you judge for yourself, here are some verses in the CEB, New Revised Standard Version (NRVS) and the New International Version (NIV).
Genesis 1:1
When God began to create the heavens and the earth—the earth was without shape or form, it was dark over the deep sea, and God’s wind swept over the waters —  CEB
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.  NRVS
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.  NIV
Matthew 6:9-13
Pray like this:
Our Father who is in heaven,
  uphold the holiness of your name.
Bring in your kingdom
  so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven.
Give us the bread we need for today.
Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you,
  just as we also forgive those who have wronged us.
And don’t lead us into temptation,
  but rescue us from the evil one.  CEB
Pray then in this way:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name. 
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors
And do not bring us to the time of trial,
but rescue us from the evil one.  NRVS
This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors. 
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one. NIV
Galatians 5:17
I say be guided by the Spirit and you won’t carry out your selfish desires.  CEB
Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.  NRSV
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.  NIV

Giveaway:

The publishers of the Common English Bible are offering a free copy of this new translation to one of my readers.  To enter this giveaway, leave a comment including your email address and which Bible translation you use.  The winner of this giveaway will be picked December 7.
To learn more about the Common English Bible, click HERE.
(I received a copy of the CEB in return for featuring it on my blog.  Any opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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30 Days With Jesus

23 Nov

I have never been very good at sticking with a Bible reading plan.  I start well but finish (or not finish) poorly.  I am better at keeping up a Bible study.  I guess I like the structure and the accountability that goes with a small group.  But I am currently between small group studies and my pastor’s sermon a few weeks ago was very convicting — so I am attempting yet again a reading plan.  To ensure a degree of success, I choose a very basic plan — 30 Days With Jesus.  I figured the Christmas season was the perfect time to read this plan.  So if you are like me and need to include more Bible reading in your day, click on the link above and join me.  If you begin today, you will have this plan completed before New Years. And having this one under your belt will be an incentive to keep any resolutions for Bible reading you may have for the new year.

I am also a member of the Common English Bible blog tour.  I will be using this new, contemporary version of the Bible along with my regular NIV study Bible.  For more information on the Common English Bible (CEB), click HERE.  About the CEB version —

It’s easier to read and understand. For many, reading the Bible and then truly grasping what it means can be a challenge. Yet the Bible is meant for everyone. The Common English Bible is a new translation of the Bible in a language that readers naturally speak and communicate—a common language. 

The publishers of the CEB are graciously offering a copy of this new Bible to one of my readers.  If you would like to enter this giveaway, just leave me a comment with your email address and your favorite Bible verse.  The winner will be picked November 30th.

(I received a copy of the Common English Bible from the publisher in return for posting about it for the length of the tour — November 20 – January 31.)

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