Contemporary English Version (CEV)

The Contemporary English Version is produced by the American Bible Society. More information can be found at their website

The first portions of the Contemporary English Version were released in 1986 and the working name for the version at that time was "Translation for Early Youth." This was changed to "Contemporary English Version" by the time the complete New Testament was released in 1991. The complete Bible was published in 1995 and in 1999 a version with the Apocrypha / Deuterocanonical books was published.

Click here to view a booklet produced by the American Bible Society in 1991 to introduce the Contemporary English Version.

For sample verses from the Contemporary English Version, click here

Portions

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Title: A Book About Jesus
Date: 1986
Publisher: American Bible Society: New York
Contents: New Testament Selections
References: Taliaferro-BVE CN00052, Taliaferro-EELBV 8420.
Images: Cover, Title page

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Title: Luke Tells The Good News About Jesus
Date: 1987
Publisher: American Bible Society: New York
Contents: Gospel of Luke
References: Taliaferro-BVE CN00052, Taliaferro-EELBV 8420.
Images: Cover, Title page

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Title: Good News Travels Fast - The Acts of the Apostles
Date: 1988
Publisher: American Bible Society: New York
Contents: Acts of the Apostles
References: Taliaferro-BVE CN00052, Taliaferro-EELBV 8420.
Images: Cover, Title page

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Title: A Few Who Dared To Trust God
Date: 1990
Publisher: American Bible Society: New York
Contents: Bible Selections
References: Taliaferro-BVE CN00052, Taliaferro-EELBV 8420.
Images: Cover, Title page

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Title: Come and See the True Light The Gospel of John Contemporary English Version
Date: 1992
Publisher: American Bible Society: New York
Contents: Gospel of John
References: Taliaferro-EELBV see 8420.
Location: Personal library, Havelock, North Carolina, USA
Images: Cover, Title, Back

Complete New Testament

Bible for Today's Family - 1991

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Title: Bible for Today's Family - New Testament Contemporary English Version
Date: 1991
Publisher: American Bible Society: New York
Contents: New Testament
References: Taliaferro-BVE CN00052, Taliaferro-EELBV 8420.100.
Images: Cover, Title page, Another Cover, Another Title page

This bookmark was printed around the the CEV New Testament came out.

➊ Front ➋ Back

Catholic edition - 1991

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Title: New Testament Contemporary English Version
Date: 1991
ISBN: 9781585161652
URL: http://www.bibles.com/contemporary-english-version-new-testament-with-imprimatur-1.html
Publisher: American Bible Society: New York
Contents: New Testament
References: Taliaferro-EELBV 8420.100.
Location: Personal library, Havelock, North Carolina, USA
Images: Cover, Title, Back
Comments: This edition has an Imprimatur; it was granted by the Most Rev. Daniel E. Pilarczyk (then President of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops - now the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) on March 22, 1991. The introduction states the Imprimatur was given after a recommendation was made by the Committee on Pastoral Research and Practices. Besides the text, there is a small glossary and helps. Christian Book Distributors states this edition was published in 2001.

Editions with Psalms and Proverbs

Bible for Today's Family - 1992

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Title: Bible for Today's Family - New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs
Date: 1992
Publisher: American Bible Society: New York
Contents: New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs
References: Taliaferro-BVE CN00052, Taliaferro-EELBV 8420.100.
Images: Cover, Title page

InStep Student Bible - 1992

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Title: InStep Student Bible – Contemporary English Version – New Testament Edition with Psalms and Proverbs
Date: ⓒ 1992. 1st print
Publisher: Nashville TN (U.S.A.): Thomas Nelson

Contents: NT with Psalms and Proverbs. – About the Author • Acknowledgements • The 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous • Contents • Welcome to InStep • Steps 1 to 12 • Index to Topics • Bible Reading Plan • Translating the CEV –– Word List.
Language:
References:
Images:
Location: Collection Bibelarchiv–Birnbaum. Karlsruhe/ Baden. Germany • www.bibelpedia.com
Source texts: Pss & Prov translated from the BHS 4th ed; NT from the 3rd UBS– GNT
Comments: Softcover octavo, adhesive binding; 96 & 734 pp; Scripture texts in double column, brief explanations and alternate readings in footnotes. Book introductions, notes and subject indexes.

Campus Crusade for Christ edition - 1995

Besides the Biblical text, this edition contains a gospel presentation and answers to five common questions college students ask. Campus Crusade for Christ is now known as Cru; their website is here.

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Title: The New Testament With Psalms and Proverbs Contemporary English Version
Date: 1995
ISBN: 1573340413
Publisher: NewLife Publications: Orlando, Florida / American Bible Society: New York
Contents: New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs
References: Taliaferro-EELBV see 8420.
Location: Personal library, Havelock, North Carolina, USA
Images: Cover, Title, Back
Comments: This edition was published in March 1999; the back cover reads: A gift for you from Campus Crusade for Christ and the American Bible Society.

Anglicized editions

life – you? (Gospel of John)

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Title: life you? – John tells the good news.
Date: ⓒ ABS 1991, 1992, 1995. This edition ⓒ BFBS 1996
Publisher: London, England (U.K.): Scripture Gift Mission • Swindon, Wilts, England (U.K.): British and Foreign Bible Society

Contents: Gospel of John in the CEV
Language:
References:
Images:
Location: Collection Bibelarchiv–Birnbaum. Karlsruhe/ Baden. Germany • www.bibelpedia.com
Source texts: 3rd & 4th UBS– GNT
Comments: Softcover 12°; adhesive binding, 92 & (2) pp. Scripture text in single column, no versification. Brief explanations and alternate readings in footnotes. „About this Book“ in the appendix.

New Testament and Psalms

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Title: Contemporary English Version New Testament and Psalms
Date: 2004
ISBN: 056409515X
Publisher: British & Foreign Bible Society: Swindon; National Bible Society of Scotland: Edinburgh
Contents: New Testament and Psalms
References: Taliaferro-EELBV 8420.115.
Location: Personal library, Havelock, North Carolina, USA
Images: Cover, Title, Back
Comments: This edition was published in 2004; it is intended for the British Royal Marines. This copy was donated by Royal Sailors’ Rests. It is part of a series of Bibles for the British military. It is printed in Korea.

Complete Bible - 1995

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Title: Holy Bible - Contemporary English Version
Date: 1995
Publisher: American Bible Society: New York
Contents: Bible
References: Taliaferro-BVE CN00052, Taliaferro-EELBV 8420.110.
Images: Cover, Title page

The Promise (1995)

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Title: The Promise – Contemporary English Version
Date: ⓒ 1995
Publisher: Nashville TN (U.S.A.): Thomas Nelson

Contents: PB; Welcome to The Promise™ • Welcome to the CEV • The CEV • Contents • Promises for Life –– Information That Will Help You Understand the CEV • Cronology of the Bible
Language:
References:
Images:
Location: Collection Bibelarchiv–Birnbaum. Karlsruhe/ Baden. Germany • www.bibelpedia.com

Source texts: OT translated from the BHS 4th ed; NT from the 3rd and 4th UBS– GNT
Comments: Hardback octavo with DJ, adhesive binding; XX, 1474 & [8] pp. Book introductions. Scripture text in single column, paragraph–wise set with parallel references; brief explanations, alternate readings in footnotes, but no cross references. 200+ „Promises“ highlighted and unfolded.

Complete Bible with Apocrypha / Deuterocanonical Books - 1999

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Title: Holy Bible with Deuterocanonicals / Apocrypha Contemporary English Version
Date: 1999
Publisher: American Bible Society: New York
Contents: Bible plus Apocrypha
References: Taliaferro-BVE CN00052, Taliaferro-EELBV 8420.
Images: Cover, Title page

Global Bible - 2004

In support of the world-wide effort to position the Contemporary English Version (CEV) as an ideal English translation of the Bible for youth, the American Bible Society and the United Bible Societies have worked together to produce an international or global edition of the CEV text, introductions, and notes. A global CEV assures the potential for maximum impact worldwide, consistency of style and content among publishers, and allows for combination print-runs that can help keep shared costs to a minimum.

The preparation of a Global CEV necessarily involved a number of changes to the master database as maintained by the ABS. In agreement with other English-speaking Bible Societies (ANGLOSEC), the Global CEV is characterized by the following features:

  • Use of American spelling;
  • Adjustment of American idioms to idioms or expressions easily understood throughout the English-speaking world;
    • The use of metric measurements;
    • The use of Arabic numerals when expressing numbers 12 or larger, a system that allows people who read these numbers aloud to do so in a manner that is natural to their culture; and
    • The introduction of a small number of exegetical corrections, limited to those items the translators felt could not be deferred until the thorough revision of the translation in 2005, and which, if left uncorrected, might weaken the international use of the CEV; these changes include, among other things, adjustments to New Testament passages where the terms "synagogue" and "the Jews" occur.

At this time, priority has been given to producing a cost-effective "mission" or "outreach" setting of the "Protestant" (66 book canon) Bible, though the Deuterocanonical / Apocrypha books have also been revised.

To achieve a reduced page-count that will help keep manufacturing costs to a minimum, some modifications have been made to the non-Scripture elements of the CEV database.

  • Short "capsule" introductions to the books of the Bible replace the longer introductions of the Standard CEV Bible.
  • A system of endnotes which focus on textual and translational issues replaces the full footnote system of the Standard CEV Bible.
  • The Mini Dictionary for the Bible has been re-conceived and expanded; the revised version is in the form of single alphabetized list and contains terms previously explained only in the footnotes.

See Taliaferro-EELBV entry 8420 for more information about the Global Bible.

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Title: The Global Bible for Children Contemporary English Version Global Edition
Date: 2005 (first edition of the Global Bible 2004)
Publisher: Authentic Media: Waynesboro, GA
Contents: Bible
References: Taliaferro-EELBV 8420.120.
Images: Cover, Title page

Seek Find The Bible for All People - 2006

This text seems to be identical to The Global Bible; Mark 6:25 has the daughter of Herodias requesting the head of John the Baptist on a serving plate instead of a platter (as seen in the 1995 edition).

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Title: Seek Find The Bible for All People
Date: 2004
Publisher: G. P. Putnam’s Sons: New York
Contents: Bible
References: Taliaferro-EELBV 8420.120.
Location: Marine Warrior Library, Cherry Point, North Carolina, USA
Images: Cover, Title

Other editions

This section lists various editions of the Contemporary English Version.

Children of Color Storybook Bible - 1997

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Title: Children of Color Storybook Bible with stories from the Contemporary English Version
Date: 1997
Publisher: Children of Color Publishing Company: Atlanta, GA / Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nashville
Contents: Bible Selections
References: Taliaferro-EELBV see 8420.
Images: Front cover, Title page, Back cover
Location: Marine Warrior Library, Cherry Point, North Carolina, USA
Comments: This edition has text "adapted from the best-selling Contemporary English Version of the Bible"; the illustrations are by Victor Hogan. The CEV text is a bold typeface; added words are printed in a regular typeface.

God Is Our Shelter and Strength - 2001

God Is Our Shelter and Strength was a booklet published by the American Bible Society after the events of September 11, 2001.

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Title: God Is Our Shelter and Strength Words of comfort and hope from the Bible
Date: October 2001
Facsimile: A PDF is available from the American Bible Society here (via archive.org)
Publisher: American Bible Society: New York
Contents: Bible Selections
References: "New York City: in the wake of September 11…" UBS World Report. United Bible Societies, November 2001. Web. 11 Aug. 2015. [http://web.archive.org/web/20060513175032/http://www.biblesociety.org/wr_364/364_pictorial.htm].
Location: Personal library, Havelock, North Carolina, USA
Images: Cover, Title, Back
Comments: The booklet has a publication date of October 2001; the PDF facsimile has a publication date of September 2001. The back of the title page has a statement that reads: "This is a Selection of Holy Scripture in the Contemporary English Version. You are urged to read the Bible and to share it with others."


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