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Bible Review: The Common English Bible, Genesis 1:1

I haven’t reviewed any books in a while and thought I would get started doing that again. I was given the opportunity to receive a copy of the Common English Bible (www.CommonEnglishBible.com) and thought that would be a good way to start reviewing again.

I never heard of this translation before so I was a little interested in it. When I first got saved and started studying the Bible I used the King James Version. While in college I tried the New American Standard Version. Then while in seminary (the first time) I switched to the New International Version. I have used the NIV in my preaching and teaching for many years. I am also familiar with the English Standard Version. I own other translations as well.

My plan is to begin by posting the same verse using different translations. This way the reader can compare the CEB with other common and widely used translations. I will post once a week for a while and will work in some information on the team that produced the CEB. The background on the translation team will have much to say about the translation.

Some personal preferences first off. It is not a red letter edition and I do prefer red letter Bibles. That is just my personal preference though. The Bible itself is nice looking. It is simple and two-tone in color with “Holy Bible” etched in the upper right. It really is a good looking Bible. The print size is good for reading. The color and weight of the paper are both very good. There is not much room in the margins to write in if you want to take notes.

There are footnotes describing words or subjects but there are no verse references to other passages. To me, that is a big negative because I think people should study the Bible and not just read it. I don’t know if the CEB may be available as a study Bible or with references in other styles. The CEB was copyrighted in 2011.

The table of contents and list of information in the beginning of the CEB are helpful. I am looking forward to going through the CEB and comparing it with other versions. You can learn more about it at: www.CommonEnglishBible.com.

For my review I chose to start at the beginning of the Bible. I am comparing the CEB with the New International Version (NIV); the New American Standard Bible (NASB); the English Standard Version (ESV) and the King James Version (KJV).

(1)When God began to create the heavens and the earth- (Genesis 1:1 CEB)

(1)In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 NIV)

(1)In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 NASB)

(1)In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 ESV)

(1)In the beginning God created the Heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 KJV)

Four of the translations are pretty similar in their presentation of the Hebrew translated into English. The CEB is a little different and leaves the sentence open. This may seem like a slight change, but we will have to wait and compare other Scriptures. A deeper study of the Hebrew would be helpful. Next week I will be comparing a familiar New Testament Scripture.

I received the CEB without charge for the purpose of reviewing it.

Much GRACE and peace to you,

Bill

(Romans 15:13; Psalm 21:6)