Bible Abbreviation: CEVISBN: 0-8407-0905-6
Publisher: Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Publication Date: 1996
Pages: 1507
Binding: Hard bound
Size: 6.75” x 9.5” x 1.5”
Features: At the back of the volume, it has maps, a Bible Chronology and what it calls a mini-dictionary. The mini dictionary is divided up into twenty-one sections, each with specialized information such as People, Prophets, Languages, Festivities and Holy Days, etc. It is lacking a concordance. Each book is launched with a small amount of introductory information specific to it. The Bible text is presented in a single column per page. Small blurbs of commentary – titled Promise For and For My Life – is presented in separate boxed off areas. In addition key scriptures called Promise Quotes are hi-lited in an enlarged font. I know this sounds busy but it is not. It is very tastefully done and looks quite pleasing. At the back of each book is a list of end notes which provide explanation concerning the Biblical languages, alternate translations, contextual clues, etc. However, these are keyed within the verses of the Bible text with an alpha character in such a small font that it defies notice.
Comments and Observations: The CEV is a thought-for-thought or functional equivalent translation. It was first published in 1995 and the copyright holder is the American Bible Society. The Promise Study Edition was printed by Thomas-Nelson Publishers. The CEV’s text is in contemporary American idiom making it very easy for the average person to read and understand.
Old Testament Comparative Verse: Psalms 23:1-6.
1 You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need.
2 You let me rest in fields of green grass.
You lead me to streams of peaceful water,
3 and you refresh my life.
You are true to your name,
and you lead me along the right paths.
4 I may walk through valleys as dark as death,
but I won't be afraid.
You are with me,
and your shepherd's rod makes me feel safe.
5 You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch.
You honor me as your guest,
and you fill my cup until it overflows.
6 Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life,
and I will live forever in your house, Lord.
New Testament Comparative Verse: Matthew 5:1-12
1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on the side of a mountain and sat down. Jesus' disciples gathered around him, 2 and he taught them:
3 God blesses those people who depend only on him.
They belong to the kingdom of heaven!
4 God blesses those people who grieve.
They will find comfort!
5 God blesses those people who are humble.
The earth will belong to them!
6 God blesses those people who want to obey him more than to eat or drink.
They will be given what they want!
7 God blesses those people who are merciful.
They will be treated with mercy!
8 God blesses those people whose hearts are pure.
They will see him!
9 God blesses those people who make peace.
They will be called his children!
10 God blesses those people who are treated badly for doing right.
They belong to the kingdom of heaven.
11 God will bless you when people insult you, mistreat you, and tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me. 12 Be happy and excited! You will have a great reward in heaven. People did these same things to the prophets who lived long ago.
Weaknesses: The paper on which this version is printed does not seem as strong or as substantial as a study Bible should be. That is a bit nit-picky so I’ll move on. The editors called this volume a Study Bible yet it is lacking information that is key to the study of the scriptures. For example, the introductory information at the beginning of each book does not provide an approximate date the book was written. What information is provided following the various books is referenced in such a manner as to be ignored by most readers. If you are looking for an in-depth study Bible, with information that will immerse you in the technical details of the Bible, this is not it.
Strengths:
There are Bibles that are more rigorously accurate in translation (the King James Version or the New American Standard Bible most readily come to mind) but this version makes the Bible truly understandable for the common person. What it lacks in word-for-word accuracy, it counterbalances with pure reading enjoyment. If you want to read the Bible from cover-to-cover, this is the Bible with which to do it. It is an easy read, with just enough added information so that you can keep focused on reading and not go off on in-depth study tangents.
Summary:
I love the American Bible Society’s CEV. I am not enthralled with study materials that Thomas-Nelson packaged with it. The best I can say for the so called study materials is that they do not get in the way of the enjoyment of reading the CEV.
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