Common English Bible Catalogue

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TRANSLATION FACTS• Written at a comfortable reading level for more than half of all English readers• Vocabulary consistent with spoken language of today• Use of contractions according to ESL (English as a Second Language) guidelines• Bible maps designed exclusively by National Geographic• Information about the translators and reading groups, translation comparisons, freedownloads, and much more can be found at the website: www.CommonEnglishBible.com

A fresh translationto touch the heart and mind

The Common English Bible offers a fresh look at the timeless story of the Bible, makingit relatable and understandable without compromising its powerful message – or

undermining the importance of thorough biblical scholarship. Most important, the Bibleis a message to God’s people. You might understand the words, but until it connects

with your heart, its purpose is not fulfilled.

The Common English Bible connects with the heart and mind.

One of the largest and most diverse teams of scholars ever assembled began work on abrand-new Bible translation in 2008. The Common English Bible (CEB) team includes118 editors and translators – men and women – from 22 different faith traditions, andvarious ethnicities. The translators are experts not only on their given book of the Bible,but also the biblical context, literature, and times. They worked closely with readabilityeditors to ensure accuracy, relevant language, and ease of reading. As the translators

and editors worked, 77 reading groups around the country gathered in churches,homes, and coffee shops to read aloud the passages they were assigned, and then

commented back to the translators to make sure the language was smooth and natural.

As retailers and church leaders, you know how vital the Bible is to effective ministry,personal growth, and store sales.

Easy readability in a Bible enhances church worship and participation and Bible study.It also encourages children, youth, and those new to the English language to discoverthe Bible for themselves, perhaps for the very first time. We hope that you will take thetime to look through this new translation, find your favorite verses, and reflect on them.

We are certain the Common English Bible will enrich your walk with God and deepenyour faith—and the faith of those you share it with.



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aIsa 7:14

MATTHEWGenealogy of Jesus

1A record of the ancestors of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham:

2Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob.Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers.3Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez was the father of Hezron.Hezron was the father of Aram.4Aram was the father of Aminadab. Aminadab was the father of Nahshon.Nahshon was the father of Salmon.5Salmon was the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz was the father of Obed, whose

mother was Ruth.Obed was the father of Jesse.6Jesse was the father of David the king. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife

of Uriah.7Solomon was the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam was the father of Abijah.Abijah was the father of Asaph.8Asaph was the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat was the father of Joram.Joram was the father of Uzziah.9Uzziah was the father of Jotham. Jotham was the father of Ahaz.Ahaz was the father of Hezekiah.1 0Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh. Manasseh was the father of Amos.Amos was the father of Josiah.1 1Josiah was the father of Jechoniah and his brothers. �is was at the time of the exile to Babylon.1 2After the exile to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel. Salathiel was the father of Zerubbabel.1 3Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud. Abiud was the father of Eliakim.Eliakim was the father of Azor.1 4Azor was the father of Zadok. Zadok was the father of Achim.Achim was the father of Eliud.

1 5Eliud was the father of Eleazar. Eleazar was the father of Matthan.Matthan was the father of Jacob.

1 6Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary—of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Christ.

1 7So there were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen genera-tions from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen generations from the exile to Babylon to the Christ.

Birth of Jesus1 8�is is how the birth of Jesus Christ took

place. When Mary his mother was engaged to Joseph, before they were married, she be-came pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 1 9Joseph her husband was a righteous man. Because he didn’t want to humiliate her, he decided to call o� their engagement quietly. 2 0As he was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child she car-ries was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 2 1She will give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 2 2Now all of this took place so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet would be ful� lled: 2 3 Look! A virgin will become pregnant and

give birth to a son, And they will call him, Emmanuel.a

(Emmanuel means “God with us.”) 2 4When Joseph woke up, he did just as

an angel from God commanded and took Mary as his wife. 2 5But he didn’t have sex-ual relations with her until she gave birth to a son. Joseph called him Jesus.

Coming of the magi

2After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the reign

of King Herod, magi came from the east to Jerusalem. 2�ey asked, “Where is the new-born king of the Jews? We’ve seen his star in the east, and we’ve come to honor him.”

3When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, and everyone in Jerusalem was

1 Lk. 3. 23-38a; Ps. 132. II;Isa. II. I; Jer. 23.5;ch. 22.42; Lk. I. 3,69; Jn. 7.42; Ac. 2.30 &13.23; Ge. 12.3&22.18; Lk. I 1827. Lk.I. 35 4 Lk. 3. 23-38; Ps. 132. II;Isa. II. I; Jer. 23.5;ch. 22.42; Lk. I. 3,69; Jn. 7.42; Ac. 2.30 &13.23; Ge. 12.3&22.18; Lk. I 2027. Lk. I. 35 6 Lk. 3. 23-38; Ps. 132. II;Isa. II. I; Jer. 23.5;ch. 22.42; Lk. I. 3,69; Jn. 7.42; Ac. 2.30 &13.23; Ge. 12.3&22.18; Lk. I 2227. Lk. I. 35 10 Lk. 3.23-38; Ps. 132. II;Isa. II. I; Jer. 23.5;ch. 22.42; Lk. I. 3,69; Jn. 7.42; Ac. 2.30 &13.23; Ge. 12.3&22.18; Lk. I 127. Lk. I. 3513 Lk. 3.23-38; Ps. 132. II;Isa. II. I; Jer. 23.5;ch. 22.42; Lk. I. 3,69; Jn. 7.42; Ac. 2.30 &13.23; Ge. 12.3&22.18; Lk. I 1827. Lk. I. 35

(Interior page sample, not actual size)



The Common English Daily Companion Bible is a freshway to help people discover biblical truths and applythem to their lives. The unique and versatile two-partformat features Scripture reading selections with dailydevotional commentary in the front followed by the fullCommon English Bible text. This allows readers to followa traditional yearlong Bible reading plan or study topicspertinent to their lives. This unique approach to dailyBible reading will allow users to gain fresh perspectivefor years to come.

• 260 Scripture reading selections with devotionalcommentary, five for each week of the year

• Space for personal reflection• Easy-to-use thematic index• Ribbon marker• Two-column setting with black-letter text• Presentation page• In-text subject headings• Additional reading plans• 8 pages of full-colour maps exclusivelyfrom National Geographic

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“Reading the Common English Bible’sGenesis and Matthew gave me fresh newinsights and revelations because of its style andreadability. It is like listening to and conversingwith someone in front of you. It captures the lifeand spirit of the Written Word as each versebecomes a ‘rhema’ word or it comes alive at theright time.”– WWW.CHRISTIAN-BOOK-REVIEW.COM



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The Common English Bible Outreach New Testament isan affordable and compact edition ideal for personaland ministry use. The New Testament features two-column text, devotional thoughts and prayers for thespecific season, a 90-day reading plan, an index topassages dealing with common issues, and a briefhistory of the Bible.

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Bible DictionaryThe only compact Bible dictionary based on the bestcontemporary scholarship

• An easy-to-understand, one-volume portable dictionary of the Bible• Based on the best contemporary scholarship• Convenient and reliable• Includes significant names, places, and events of the Bible• Nearly 4,000 entries• Ideal for any level Bible study


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2AARONITES. been claimed by women cultic personnel. Numbers 16 Num 16 legitimizes Aaron’s exclusive priestly rank in opposition to rival claims by Levite groups personi� ed by Korah “son of Levi” (vv. 1, 5-11). Ko-rah’s dreadful death (vv. 32-33) stresses that only “the descendants of Aaron” (v. 40) can perform the priestly act of o� er-ing incense. When they do so, however, it serves as an e� ective intercession (vv. 47-48). Similarly, 2 Chr 26:16-21 2 Chr 26:16 2 Chr 26:17 2 Chr 26:18 2 Chr 26:19 2 Chr 26:20 2 Chr 26:21 describes the punishment of King Uzziah for en-croaching on the cultic rights of “the de-scendants of Aaron” (v. 18). � e buddingof Aaron’s sta� in Num 17 Num 17 also authenticates the Aaronic priesthood over against its rivals. See AARON’S STAFF.

�e golden calf incident (Exod 32 Exod 32 and Deut 9 Deut 9 ) associates Aaron with the cult of the calf image practiced in Bethel and founded by Jeroboam I, �rst monarch of the Northern Kingdom (compare Exod 32:4, 8 Exod 32:4 Exod 32:8 with 1 Kgs 12:28 1 Kgs 12:28 ). � is could indicate that the priests of Bethel claimed Aaronic descent, or it might be a libel against the Aaronic priests by a competing faction represented by the “sons of Levi” (Exod 32:25-29Exod 32:25 Exod 32:26 Exod 32:27 Exod 32:28 Exod 32:29). First Kings 12:31 asserts that the Bethel priesthood was non-Levitical. �is could be a false vili� cation of the Aaronites or an indication that they were not yet claiming a Levite background. Some connection between Aaron and the Bethel priesthood is suggested by the cir-cumstance that the burial site of his son Eleazar was thought to be in Ephraim (Josh 24:33Josh 24:33 ) and the asso-ciation of Eleazar’s son Phinehas with Bethel in Judg 20:26-28Judg 20:26 Judg 20:27 Judg 20:28. Another hint is the perplexing correlation between Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu and Jeroboam’s sons Nadab and Abijah, all of whom suf-fer premature deaths (Lev 10:1-2 Lev 10:1 Lev 10:2; 1 Kgs 14:1, 17; 15:25, 28

1 Kgs 14:1 1 Kgs 14:17 1 Kgs 15:25 1 Kgs 15:28 ).

AARONITES. Sons or house of Aaron. Descendants of Aaron, who emerged as the sole legitimate claimants to priest-hood. Priestly o� ce was not originally limited to Aaronites. Exodus 32 Exod 32 and Num 12, 16-17 Num 12 16-17 wit-ness to rivalries between Aaronites and other groups claiming priestly preroga-tives.

AARON’S STAFF. In Exodus, Aaron’s sta� appears alongside the sta� of Mo-ses as an instrument of power in the con-frontation with Pharaoh and the plagues: Exod 7:8-12 (becoming a snake), 19 (Nile into blood); 8:1-2, 5-6 (frogs), 12-13, 16-17 (gnats).In Num 17, a sta� represent-ing Levi is inscribed with Aaron’s name. It blossoms, proving the placement and preeminence of the Aaronites within Levi as the only legitimate priests. It was preserved in the sanctuary as a warning to rival factions.

ABADDON uh-badúhn. Abaddon is translated as (the place of) destruction. It refers to the underworld and is found six times in the OT, most often in wis-dom literature (Job 26:6; 28:22; 31:12; Prov 15:11; 27:20; Ps 88:11). In the NT, it is personi� ed as the angel of the bot-tomless pit who reigns over the demonic locusts of Rev 9:3-11.

ABANA abúh-nuh. A river, now called Barada, that orignates in the Antileba-non Mountains. It � ows southeastward through Damascus, terminating in the marshy lake Bahret el-Kibliyeh (2 Kgs 5:12).

ABARIM MOUNTAINS abúh-rim. A range across the Jordan extending from Mount Nebo in the north to the Arabian Desert (Num 27:12; 33:47-48; Deut 32:49; Jer 22:20). � e northern part is also known as Pisgah, identi� ed as the place where BALAAM blessed Israel the second time (Num 23:14), Moses saw the



Bible Map GuideBeautiful, full-color oversize maps showing wheresignificant Bible events happened

The Common English Bible Map Guide helps bring Scripture alive, showingwhere the events of the Bible took place.

• Includes 21 maps produced by National Geographic

• Beautiful full-color oversize format, making it easy for classroom andgroup use

• A brief narrative describes each map and references what specificchapters and verses of the Bible are being illustrated

• Sidebars, photographs, and timelines highlight interesting facts about thelands of the Bible and some of the most religious places in the world

• An exhaustive index makes it easy to locate places mentionedin the Bible

Date: 1550 - 1200 B.C.E.Scripture: Genesis 12

Did Israel exist in the Late Bronze Age (1550-1200 B.C.E.). The debate rages on. A few facts stick out. Many Middle Bronze cities experienced destruction without restoration. The fortifi ed city walls basically disappeared. Egypt controlled Canaan. The Amarna letters (about 1350) reveal strong international correspondence and commerce. They also show spats among city-state kings in Canaan who asked the Egyptian leaders for just a few soldiers to help them gain the victory. Central fi gures in such disputes included Labayu of Shechem and Abdi-heba of Jerusalem. The Book of Joshua shows Joshua and the Israelites worshiping at Shechem but not telling a story of their capture of Shechem (Josh. 8:30-35; 20:7; 24:1-27; Judg. 8:31–9:49; 1 Kings 12:1,25).

The petty city-state kings also complain that a group of undisciplined marauders they called ‘apiru, threatened the country. Egyptian texts speak of bothersome shasu nomads who caused mischief for Egyptian troops and traders in Palestine between 1600 and 1100 B.C.E. Pharaoh Merneptah raised a memorial stele about 1210 for a successful raid into Canaan. On it he mentions Israel, the fi rst such appearance of the name in history. Meanwhile, as the Bronze Age passed into the Iron, hundreds of new, small settlements dotted the central part of the Western Hills.

Archaeologists show important Late Bronze Age remains at Acco, Aphek, Tell Halif (Rimmon), Lachish, Hazor, Megiddo, Beth-shan, Gezer, Shechem, Tel Rehov, Shiloh, and Tall Al ‘Umeyri, but not the expected remains at Ai and Jericho. Excavations reveal strong distinctions between the palaces of the rich and the hovels of the poor. Archaeologists also found Egyptian settlements at Beth-shen, Jaffa, and Deir el-Balah, showing direct Egyptian control, as did the governor’s residence at Aphek. Commerce in metals, turquoise, copper, ivory, and other metals enriched Egyptian coffers.

A major event near the end of the period saw Pharaoh Raameses II battle the Hittites at Kadesh on the Orontes (north of Tyre but not on this map). A truce fi nally indicated the boundaries for each of the empire-seeking lands.

The Late Bronze Age mystery continues. See Maps 3,4,5 for Israel’s sojourn in Egypt, Exodus, and settlement in the Promised land.

ISRAEL IN THELATE BRONZE AGE

Canaanite city-state kings wrote to Amen-hotep III and his “heretical” son Akh-en-Aton asking for help. The letters were discovered at Tell-el-Amarna, a discovery including about 300 letters from Canaanites. Listen in as Labayu, king of Shechem, pleads his case.

To my master the king,

I bow down before you. You asked how strong is the army that captured your town and how they could be arrested. The town was captured in battle even though an Egyptian offi cial joined me in a peace treaty. To my great shame, my god was also captured.

You know the proverb: when ants are struck they do not remain passive. They bite the hand that struck them. Two of my towns have been taken from me. How could I not act? I have become so desperate that even if you tell me to pledge allegiance to them, I would fi ght back against them. These men took my town and my god. They are the ones who ruined my father. Yes, I would fi ght back against them.

My king, my master, my Sun-god. I bow my face to the ground seven times before you. I have heard your letter read. Who do you think I am that the king should lose his land because of me? Look here. I am faithful to you, having neither rebelled or sinned against you. I pay my tribute and obey the requests your representative here makes of me. I know those wicked people are slandering me, but surely the king will not charge me with rebellion. I know the true crime. I went to Gezer and publicly announced, “Shall the king take over my property and not do the same for your king Milkilu.” I do know what he has done.

O king, I did not know my son, whom you inquired about, was dealing with the ‘apiru. I handed him over to Addaya. You know I

Bronze Age Jar

Abraham’s Gate” at Tel Dan

Ruins near Jerash


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“The Common English Bible, likely the largest cross-denominational translation project inrecent memory, unites Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, Evangelical, United Methodist, andnumerous other faith traditions in a joint effort to create a complete but broadly accessibleBible for the 21st century.…An excellent resource for the young or beginning Christian.”– LIBRARY JOURNAL (MARCH 2011)

“Reading the Common English Bible’s Genesis and Matthew gave me fresh new insights andrevelations because of its style and readability. It is like listening to and conversing withsomeone in front of you. It captures the life and spirit of the Written Word as each versebecomes a ‘rhema’ word or it comes alive at the right time.”– WWW.CHRISTIAN-BOOK-REVIEW.COM

“[The Common English Bible New Testament] does seem very readable, yet does not insult thereader’s intelligence with over-simplification.”– LEIGH B. GILLIS, PRESBYTERIAN OUTLOOK

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“…I love reading the Common English Bible because as a faithful translation it gives me anaccurate reading of the biblical text at the same time that it puts the words in the Englishidiom, in the vernacular that connects with people in my congregation. I will be making mystudy and sermon notes in this smooth new translation, the Common English Bible.”– MIKE SLAUGHTER, AUTHOR AND SENIOR PASTOR, GINGHAMSBURG CHURCH (DAYTON, OHIO)

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Genesis 1:1-2

Common English Bible (CEB)When God began to create the heavens andthe earth—the earth was without shape orform, it was dark over the deep sea, andGod’s wind swept over the waters—

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)In the beginning when God created theheavens and the earth, the earth was aformless void and darkness covered theface of the deep, while a wind from Godswept over the face of the waters.

New International Version (NIV)In the beginning God created the heavensand the earth. Now the earth was formlessand empty, darkness was over the surfaceof the deep, and the Spirit of God washovering over the waters.

Genesis 1:11

Common English Bible (CEB)God said, “Let the earth grow plant life:plants yielding seeds and fruit treesbearing fruit with seeds inside it, eachaccording to its kind throughout the earth.”And that’s what happened.

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)Then God said, "Let the earth put forthvegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruittrees of every kind on earth that bear fruitwith the seed in it." And it was so.

New International Version (NIV)Then God said, "Let the land producevegetation: seed-bearing plants and treeson the land that bear fruit with seed in it,according to their various kinds." And itwas so.

Genesis 2:7

Common English Bible (CEB)the Lord God formed the human from thetopsoil of the fertile land and blew life’sbreath into his nostrils. The human cameto life.

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)then the Lord God formed man from thedust of the ground, and breathed into hisnostrils the breath of life; and the manbecame a living being.

New International Version (NIV)the Lord God formed the man from thedust of the ground and breathed into hisnostrils the breath of life, and the manbecame a living being.

Leviticus 19:33-34

Common English Bible (CEB)When immigrants live in your land withyou, you must not cheat them. Anyimmigrant who lives with you must betreated as if they were one of your citizens.You must love them as yourself becauseyou were immigrants in the land of Egypt; Iam the Lord your God.

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)When an alien resides with you in yourland, you shall not oppress the alien. Thealien who resides with you shall be to youas the citizen among you; you shall love thealien as yourself, for you were aliens in theland of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

New International Version (NIV)When an alien lives with you in your land,do not mistreat him. The alien living withyou must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you werealiens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

Matthew 6:9-13

Common English Bible (CEB)Pray like this:Our Father who is in heaven,uphold the holiness of your name.Bring in your kingdomso that your will is done on earth as it’sdone in heaven.Give us the bread we need for today.Forgive us for the ways we have wrongedyou,just as we also forgive those who havewronged us.And don’t lead us into temptation,but rescue us from the evil one

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)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 debtorsAnd do not bring us to the time of trial,but rescue us from the evil one.

New International Version (NIV)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 inheaven.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.'

The following examples show how the Common English Biblecompares to other widely used translations.



A Guide to Popular Bible Translations

Translation(Abbreviation)

Amplified Bible

Common English Bible(CEB)

Contemporary EnglishVersion (CEV)

English StandardVersion (ESV)

Good News Bible; TheBible in Today's

English Version (TEV)

Holman ChristianStandard Bible (HCSB)

King James Version(KJV)

The Living Bible (LB)

The Message

New American Bible(NAB)

New AmericanStandard Bible (NASB)

New Century Version(NCV)

New InternationalVersion (NIV)

New InternationalReader's Version (NIrV)

New Jerusalem Bible

New King JamesVersion (NKJV)

New Living Translation(NLT)

New Revised StandardVersion (NRSV)

The Voice

Date

1965;rev. 1987

2010 (NT),2011 (OT)

1995

2001;rev. 2007

1976

2003

1611, 1769

1971

1993 (NT);2001 (OT)

1970; NT rev.1986

1971;rev. 1995

1991

1978;rev. 2010

1996

1985

1982

1996; rev.2007

1990

2008 (NT)

ReadingLevel

NA

7

5

11

6

8

12

8

6

7

11

6

8

3

8

11

6

11

8

TranslationMethod

Verbal equivalence;amplification of word

meanings

Hybrid: Verbalequivalence with

dynamic balance andcommon language

Dynamic equivalence

Verbal equivalence

Dynamic equivalence

Hybrid: Verbalequivalence withdynamic balance

Verbal equivalence

Paraphrase

Paraphrase

Dynamic equivalence,1970; verbal

equivalence, 1986

Verbal equivalence

Dynamic equivalence

Hybrid: Verbalequivalence withdynamic balance

Verbal equivalence, withdynamic balance andsome simplification

Verbal equivalence, withdynamic tendencies

Verbal equivalence

Dynamic equivalence

Verbal equivalence

Paraphrase

Translators

Frances Siewert and Lockman Foundation EditorialBoard

Common English Bible Committee, an alliance of fivedenominational publishers (117 translators from 22

faith traditions and 5 countries; 77 field testinggroups with 400 participants in 13 denominations)

American Bible Society. More than 100 translatorsand reviewers

Crossway. Translation Oversight Committee andTranslation Review Scholars (evangelical scholars,

primarily from the Reformed tradition)

American Bible Society. Robert Bratcher, NT;Bratcher and 6 others, OT

Holman Bible Publishers. 90 scholars, primarilySouthern Baptist

54 English scholars

Kenneth Taylor

Eugene Peterson

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. 55 scholars,most of whom were Catholics

Lockman Foundation. 61 evangelical scholars(original and update)

A team composed of the World Bible TranslationCenter and 50 scholars and translators

Biblica. 2010 update by 10 person Committee onBible Translation.

40, including stylists

Approximately 30

Thomas Nelson Publishers. Approximately 60scholars and church leaders

Tyndale House Foundation. 90 scholars, primarilyfrom Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Asbury

Seminary

National Council of Churches. 30 scholars

Thomas Nelson Publishers and Ecclesia BibleSociety. 27 scholars and 52 retellers from the

emergent movement

Manuscriptsand/or Texts Used

Greek text of Westcott and Hort; varioustranslations

Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (4th edition),Biblia Hebraica Quinta (5th edition); Nestle

Aland 27th Edition (1993), GottingenSeptuagint (in progress), Ralf's Septuagint

(2005)

Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (4th edition),UBS Greek NT (3rd edition, corrected)

Minor revision of Revised Standard Version(1971)

Biblia Hebraica (3rd edition), UBS Greek NT(3rd edition)

Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (4th edition),Nestle Aland 27th Edition (1993)

Masoretic (OT), Textus Receptus (NT); TheBishop's Bible, 1568

Paraphrase of American Standard Version (1901)

Paraphrase from original languages

Masoretic (OT), Nestle-Aland Greek NT

Biblia Hebraica, Nestle's Greek Text, 23rdedition (1971); Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia,

Nestle-Aland/UBS, 26th edition (1995)

Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, UBS Greek NT

Biblia Hebraica, eclectic mix of original textsfor NT

Simplification of NIV

Original Languages; La Bible de Jérusalem(French)

Rev. of KJV, Biblia Hebraica (OT), TextusReceptus (NT)

Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia; UBS Greek NT(1993), Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum

Graece (1993)

Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (3rd edition),UBS Greek NT (3rd edition, corrected);

rev.of RSV (1971)

not disclosed



Q1. What is the CEB?The Common English Bible is not simply arevision or update of an existingtranslation. It is a bold new translationdesigned to meet the needs of Christians asthey work to build a strong and meaningfulrelationship with God through Jesus Christ.A key goal of the translation team is tomake the Bible accessible to a broad rangeof people; it's written at a comfortable levelfor over half of all English readers. As thetranslators do their work, readingspecialists working with seventy-sevenreading groups from more than a dozendenominations review the texts to ensure asmooth and natural reading experience.Easy readability can enhance churchworship and participation, and personalBible study. It also encourages childrenand youth to discover the Bible forthemselves, perhaps for the very first time.

Who is it for?The Common English Bible is committed tothe whole church of Jesus Christ. Toachieve this, the CEB represents the workof a diverse team with broad scholarship,including the work of over one hundred andseventeen scholars-men and women fromtwenty-two faith traditions in American,African, Asian, European and Latinocommunities. As a result, the Englishtranslation of ancient words has anuncommon relevance for a broad audienceof Bible readers-from children to scholars.

Q2. Who sponsored the Common EnglishBible?The Common English Bible is sponsored bya committee of denominational publishers.The Christian Resources Development Corpwas established to fund alliances andpartnerships in the development of Bibles,curriculum, and music. The Committeecurrently has representatives from thedenominational publishers who serve theDisciples of Christ, the Episcopal Church ofAmerica, the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.,the United Churches of Christ, and theUnited Methodist Church. The translationis intended for use by all readers andspeakers of English.

Q3. Why does the Common English Bibletranslate "the Human One" as one of the titlesfor Jesus?ben ’adam (Hebrew) or huios tou anthropou(Greek) are translated as “human being”(rather than “son of man”) except in casesof direct address, where CEB renders"Human" (instead of "Son of Man" or“Mortal,” e.g., Ezek 2:1). When ho huios touanthropou is used as a title for Jesus, theCEB refers to Jesus as “the Human One.”

In the preface we explain why:First, ben ’adam (Hebrew) or huios touanthrōpou (Greek) are best translated as“human being” (rather than “son of man”)except in cases of direct address, wherethe CEB renders “Human” (instead of “Son

of Man” or “Mortal,” e.g., Ezek 2:1). Whenho huios tou anthrōpou is used as a titlefor Jesus, the CEB refers to Jesus as “theHuman One.”

People who have grown accustomed tohearing Jesus refer to himself in theGospels as “the Son of Man” may find thisjarring. Why “Human One”? Jesus’ primarylanguage would have been Aramaic, so hewould have used the Aramaic phrase barenosha. This phrase has the sense of “ahuman” or “a human such as I.” Thisphrase was taken over into Greek in aphrase that might be translated woodenlyas “son of humanity.” However, Greekusage often refers to “a son of x” in thesense of “one who has the character of ‘x.’”For example, Luke 10:6 refers to “a son ofpeace,” a phrase that has the sense, “onewho shares in peace.”

Q4. Many Bible translations are available.Why do we need different Bible translations?a. All Bible translations are interpretationsof the meaning of the original languages.We need multiple interpretations to getcloser to an accurate understanding of thebiblical text.b. Each good translation has a differentemphasis on vocabulary. This tells us agreat deal about the social and economicculture of the readers and it also disclosesthe theological understandings of thetranslators.

FAQsThe King James Version of the Bible was published in 1611. For twocenturies the KJV competed for readership with the Geneva Bible. Howeverby the nineteenth century in America, the KJV would be described as the“common English Bible,” because it was the most widely used translationof Christian Scripture. Numerous translations have appeared since thattime. However, it has proven difficult to combine concern for accuracy andaccessibility in one translation, which the typical reader or worshipperwould be able to understand. Therefore, readers in the twenty-first century,four hundred years after the creation of the KJV, need and deserve a newtranslation, which is suitable for personal devotion, for communal worship,and classroom study.

Common English Bible Catalogue

Documents

Transcript of Common English Bible Catalogue