CEV
Thought-for-ThoughtTranslation profile
Contemporary English Version
CEV
How it translates, how hard it is to read, where it came from, and what makes it distinctive.
Now showing Guided. How it translates, how hard it is to read, where it came from, and what makes it distinctive.
This is an educational comparison guide — not a Bible reader, and not a quiz that picks a best Bible. You can change this anytime.
The short version
CEV puts the meaning into natural modern English.
These sentences use the listed method, reading-grade, lineage, and notable-facts fields. They are not a ranking.
Translation approach
CEV puts the meaning into natural modern English. This guide lists this as Thought-for-Thought.
Reading difficulty
Easier modern English. This guide lists grade 5.4.
What makes it distinctive
Recommended for children and people who do not speak English as a first language.
How it translates
Translation approach: . CEV puts the meaning into natural modern English.
Scholars translate the meaning of each thought. This is how most non-biblical translation for modern books is done. This method is also called functional (or dynamic) equivalence.
Reading level
Easier modern English. This guide lists grade 5.4. Reading level does not measure accuracy.
Where it came from
This guide does not list an English Bible lineage for this translation.
First listed 1995.
Text and source listings
Old Testament: ,
New Testament: United Bible Societies
What makes it distinctive
A translation’s story
Why this translation exists
1
Before it
This guide does not list an earlier English Bible in this translation’s lineage field.
2
Why it was created
To translate the Bible into the speech patterns found in modern communication.
3
How it translates
Thought-for-Thought. Scholars translate the meaning of each thought. This is how most non-biblical translation for modern books is done. This method is also called functional (or dynamic) equivalence.
4
Who / what it was designed for
Recommended for children and people who do not speak English as a first language. The drafting, reviewing, editing, revising, and refining of the CEV extended over ten years.
5
Where it sits
Thought-for-Thought · Grade 5.4 · First released 1995 (Modern English).
See it in action
Compare with translations that offer a useful contrast — not a ranking.
KJV
Different translation approach
ASV
Different reading grade
RSV
Older and newer English
Sample verses
Jesus said to them, “Follow me! I will teach you how to bring in people instead of fish.”
16 God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. 17 God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them!