Common English Bible
Holy Bible
CEB

Common English Bible
August 2011 / ISBN 1609260155
Nonfiction / religion / Christianity
AMAZON

Reviewed by Brenda Weeaks


I am very wary when it comes to the bible translations. To this day, there is one version from the 1970s, now published under a different name that I am still not comfortable with and will not recommend. And unfortunately there those who want to use God's Word to provoke fear or guilt (legalism) to control the believer or mix other religions (New Age-ish). The CEB does not fall under either of these categories. CEB makes the Word of God easy to understand without changing the message or the adding to it.

Involved in the translation were 118 leading biblical scholars from 22 denominations. That is was field-tested by 77 reading groups in 13 denominations. Those sponsoring the CEB are Disciples of Christ (Chalice Press); Presbyterian Church U.S.A. (Westminster John Knox Press); Episcopal Church (Church Publishing Inc); United Churches of Christ (Pilgrim Press), and United Methodist Church (Abingdon Press).

The Preface reminds us the King James Version was published in 1611 and for two centuries competed with the Geneva Bible, but by the nineteenth century in America the KJV was described as the "common English Bible."

For me the KJV gives the message quickly, but can leave me with questions.

The CBE interprets the scripture for you. (See example below).

(KJV) - Acts 10:3
About the ninth hour of the day saw clearly a vision of the Angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius!"

(CEB) - Acts 10:3
One day at nearly three o'clock in the afternoon, he clearly saw an Angel from God in a vision. The Angel came to him and said, "Cornelius!"

After reading and scrutinizing the CBE on my own and with my husband, we have decided we can honestly recommend it. It's the perfect starter or young person bible. Fair-warning the print is small.