Common English Bible (CEB)

Publisher:

Common English Bible

, 2011

Overview

The Common English Bible is not simply a revision or update of an existing translation. It is a bold new translation designed to meet the needs of Christians as they work to build a strong and meaningful relationship with God through His Word.

A key goal of the translation team is to make the Bible accessible to a broad range of people; it’s written at a comfortable level for over half of all English readers. As the translators have done their work, reading specialists from more than a dozen denominations have reviewed the texts to ensure a smooth and natural reading experience. Easy readability can enhance church worship and participation, and personal Bible study. It also encourages children and youth to discover the Bible for themselves, perhaps for the very first time.

The Common English Bible is committed to the whole church of Jesus Christ. To achieve this, the CEB represents the work of a diverse team with broad scholarship, including the work of over one hundred and seventeen scholars—men and women from twenty-two faith traditions in American, African, Asian, European and Latino communities. As a result, the English translation of ancient words has an uncommon relevance for a broad audience of Bible readers—from children to scholars.

Key Features

• 115 leading biblical scholars from 22 denominations worked on the translation team
• 77 reading specialists did field testing in 13 denominations

Contents

Most Highlighted Verses in Common English Bible

Deuteronomy 6:4–9: Israel, listen! Our God is the Lord! Only the Lord! Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your strength. These words that I am commanding you today must always be on your minds. …

Psalm 19:14: Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Isaiah 9:6–7: A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be vast authority and endless peace for David’s throne and for his kingdom, establishing and sustaining it with justice and righteousness now and forever. The zeal of the Lord of heavenly forces will do this.

Matthew 11:28–30: “Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.”

Romans 8:37–39: But in all these things we win a sweeping victory through the one who loved us. I’m convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus our Lord: not death or life, not angels or rulers, not present things or future things, not powers or height or depth, or any other thing that is created.

Romans 10:8–13: But what does it say? The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is, the message of faith that we preach). Because if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and in your heart you have faith that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Trusting with the heart leads to righteousness, and confessing with the mouth leads to salvation. …

Ephesians 2:8–10: You are saved by God’s grace because of your faith. This salvation is God’s gift. It’s not something you possessed. It’s not something you did that you can be proud of. Instead, we are God’s accomplishment, created in Christ Jesus to do good things. God planned for these good things to be the way that we live our lives.

Philippians 4:4–9: Be glad in the Lord always! Again I say, be glad! Let your gentleness show in your treatment of all people. The Lord is near. Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. …

1 Thessalonians 5:8–9: Since we belong to the day, let’s stay sober, wearing faithfulness and love as a piece of armor that protects our body and the hope of salvation as a helmet. God didn’t intend for us to suffer his wrath but rather to possess salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:9–10: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who are God’s own possession. You have become this people so that you may speak of the wonderful acts of the one who called you out of darkness into his amazing light. Once you weren’t a people, but now you are God’s people. Once you hadn’t received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Praise for the Print Edition

The CEB translators were careful to tell the great story of the New Testament without letting its meaning slip away. It will be a help to all who read it.

—Bishop Mack Stokes, author of United Methodist Beliefs

The Common English Bible is excellent! It reads easily and flows beautifully and at the same time, it maintains the sacred feel of these powerful scriptures we have loved so much over the years. Congratulations on bringing together bright minds from around the globe to make this fresh, faithful, readable, and collaborative new translation of the New Testament. I look forward to using it in private and corporate worship experiences for years to come and I look forward to the publication of the Old Testament translation next year.

—James Moore, author and pastor

When I first heard of the Common English Bible, I wondered why we needed still another translation, but when I finished reading its Gospel of Matthew, I knew why. This is a translation to live with: clear, to the point, unadorned but winsome and friendly. I anticipate having it as my companion in my next year-long trip through the Bible.

—Elsworth Kallas, author and preaching professor

I like the Common English Bible and plan to share it with others who travel with me on the spiritual journey. The CEB is appealing to me because the language in this Bible is friendly but not too casual.

—Judy P. Christie, author of the Hurry Less—Worry Less series and novelist of the Green series

The Word is lively insofar as each generation renders it in the style and idiom of the day. The Common English Bible is fresh and compelling in both translation and format. It will be a useful resource for 21st Century churches, believers and seekers.

—John Buchanan, Pastor, Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago

I don't know how many times I have read the Gospel of Matthew. Scores? Hundreds? Reading this clear and energetic translation has given me insights into the text and perspectives on Jesus I have never had before. I anxiously await the publication of the full Bible and look forward to sharing it widely. This is an exceptionally readable Bible that we will all want to ‘take and read.'

—Cynthia M. Campbell, President, McCormick Theological Seminary

Our reading group was transformed by this experience of reading and commenting on the Common English Bible. It's significant that people from age 15 to 85 were so fired up by reading the translation.

—Eileen Parfrey, Springwater Presbyterian Church

People often strengthen their connection with God when they connect with a new insight in God's Word. The Common English Bible—a new translation of the original Hebrew and Greek into 21st century English—makes such insights more likely to happen.

—Herb Miller, editor of The Parish Paper

The Common English Bible is a translation that is easily accessible to the average reader and also meets the highest expectations of students and scholars. It is the perfect companion for personal study and reflection and is equally at home in the classroom or in the hands of scholars. The language is plain, clear and contemporary making the connection from sacred text to daily life an easy step for scholar and student alike. As I have been using The Common English Bible for my own personal study and reflection I have discovered new beauty and meaning in well known and obscure passages alike. And every now and then I have one of those beautiful and rare "Aha moments" when new light is shed on sacred text and upon my own life. I offer my gratitude for the gift of a fresh look at the treasure of the book we value above all others.

—Rueben Job, Bishop and author of Three Simple Rules

I have read the Common English Translation of the book of Matthew. I was impressed with its integrity to the truth of the scriptures. I have no problem with a translation being in the common vocabulary of today's culture. In fact, I recommend it highly. Years ago I heard a man say, "The best translation of the Bible is the one you will read." This translation will certainly assist the average person in understanding the message of the Bible.

—Dr. Ken Riggs, Administrator, Pleasant View Christian School

Product Details

• Title: Common English Bible
• Publisher: Common English Bible
• Print Publication Date: 2011
• Logos Release Date: 2012
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible › English
• Resource ID: LLS:CEB
• Resource Type: Bible
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-02-11T17:28:41Z