Seek Find: The Bible for All People (Contemporary English Version), [Large Print] [Paperback]

American Bible Society (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 5, 2006

The CEV was published by the American Bible Society in response to an urgent need for a translation that would reach those many millions who are not reading the Bible. The goal was a serious translation-not a paraphrase-combining historical and scholarly accuracy with contemporary language that everyone can understand. Here is a Bible that speaks to all people, wherever they might be on their spiritual journey. It's easy to read yet allows for a deeper connection to God. Never before has there been a Bible that speaks so clearly to the heart and the mind of each reader.

RELIABLE-The CEV is an accurate translation of the biblical languages concerned primarily with the faithfulness to the meaning of the text. Over a period of ten years, more than one hundred individuals contributed toward the creation and crafting of the CEV. Key people within this group were translation consultants of the United Bible Societies, which is the most experienced Bible translation organization in the world. Each book underwent a series of thorough reviews before final approval was granted by the American Bible Society's board of trustees. It is this review process that ensures the reliability of the CEV.

READABLE-The CEV was crafted to be read aloud without stumbling, heard without misunderstanding, and listened to with enjoyment. While attention to choice of words and sentence length helps promote readability, the creators of the CEV also employed the following criteria:

- Is it easy to read aloud?
- Is it easy to listen to?
- Are the words and sentence structures familiar?
- Does it capture and hold the reader's interest?
- Are the thoughts easy to follow and understand?

Attention to these details has produced a text that is easy to read and understand without unnecessary jargon and ambiguity getting in the way.

RELEVANT-The CEV reveals the relevance of God's Word. Because the language is uncomplicated and contemporary, the reader is able to comprehend the true meaning of the Bible. The CEV is not merely an ancient text to be studied for its historical relevancy; it is the living, breathing Word of God that speaks to readers today.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The American Bible Society is an interdenominational, non-profit, donor-supported ministry whose mission is to make accurate and affordable translations of the Bible available to everyone. Founded in New York City in 1816, ABS is dedicated to presenting the Bible in compelling ways so that people can experience life in its fullness through faith in Jesus Christ. ABS is responsible for a number of "firsts": the first Bibles provided to the U.S. military in 1817, the first pocket Bibles for soldiers during the Civil War, and the first Bibles in hotels. The society extends its outreach internationally through the United Bible Societies (UBS), a fellowship of 126 international groups, and was instrumental in founding this global fellowship in the interest of efficiency and making a greater impact. In 1999 alone, more than 63 million copies of the Society's publications were distributed throughout the United States and the world.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 1744 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Adult (October 5, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399153861
• ISBN-13: 978-0399153860
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.6 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #306,963 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Modern without being slangy, December 1, 2006

By 

Charles S. Houser (Binghamton, NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Seek Find: The Bible for All People (Contemporary English Version) (Mass Market Paperback)

Although the Contemporary English Version (CEV) has been around for over a decade, Putnam's new setting does a lot to give this book special appeal. The compact paperback and hardback editions are easy-to-read and will fit nicely into anyone's backpack (eliminating two excuses for leaving your Bible at home). While the translation may seem a little "vanilla" next to Peterson's "The Message", it is modern (no "begats") without trying to be overly clever. In fact, I have often found Peterson's effort to bring the Bible "up to date" a little off-putting because he forces so many anachronisms upon the reader. The CEV is very direct and clear. It's a reliable translation made directly from the original languages by a team of professional scholars. As a translation, it is receiving recognition worldwide, even in parts of the world where English is not the first or most official language (Africa, the Philippines, etc.). It's a great translation to give to someone learning English because it reads the way native English-speakers really speak.

The introductions to the books of the Bible, brand new to this edition, are concise, non-sectarian, and provide just enough helpful information to get you oriented to any book. Putnam's editions also have a Word List, and helps on how to read the Bible, finding famous passages, and finding help in the Bible. Regretably, no maps. And this edition does not have the Deuterocanonicals/Apocrypa, those books revered by Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians, but ignored or neglected by most Protestant denominations. Perhaps an edition with these features will be coming out later (hint, hint, Putnam).

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely Good Translation for Kids and Adults, December 15, 2006

By 

Phil Lembo (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Seek Find: The Bible for All People (Contemporary English Version), (Paperback)

The CEV is an extremely good translation in contemporarly English that ranks with the very best ever done (while not a Greek scholar, I know enough to tell for myself that it is very faithful to the Greek text). It's simple, clear and direct language that avoids traditonal religious vocabulary makes it an excellent choice for children and adults, particularly those who were not raised in a church. I bought this large print edition for my kids. Whether I'm reading to them or them to me, it's nice to get through an entire passage without having to constantly re-translate "church English" terms. While it's a hefty volume in this edition, the larger print makes it easier for little readers to cope with -- not to mention those of us older folk with imperfect eyesight.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easily Read, Easily Understood, March 9, 2008

By 

David J. Spuria "David J" (Webster, Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Seek Find: The Bible for All People (Contemporary English Version) (Hardcover)

I am one of those Bible readers that loves easy-to-read translations. In recent years I've been using the NCV, which at times is a little over simplified. I hadn't picked up a CEV in a while, and recently I purchased the SEEK-FIND edition for a great price. The CEV is more lucid, more precise and little more grown up than the NCV. Right now it's a marketing issue. The NCV has been successfully packaged by Thomas Nelson in many bindings, formats and study editions. The CEV has been less available, primarily through the American Bible Society. This new edition has lots of room on each page which make the reading easier on your eyes. The flow of the text can only be decribed as "natural english". This isn't as dumbed down as the NCV. It's more descriptive and illustrative. This format makes for easy consumption of not only the text, but the clear intent of the author, and the deeper meanings as well. This is about as reader friendly as it gets. While some may miss the universally accepted Biblical language in the love chapter or in John 3:16, you'll find that Bible reading will have more meaning and will be more productive. This new format is already going the way of the bargain bin. Again, the marketing has a lot to do with the success of any translation. Even the NCV is being discounted, because the Church has decided that the NIV and NKJV are the translations of choice. And even though those two versions are more literal, they still make the reader stumble and miss concepts that are made clear in the CEV. Seek and Find this while you can. I think you'll FIND that your Bible time will be more productive and that should lead you to a better walk with God.