Common English Bible (2010)

Translators are refining their translation techniques and discovering that accuracy, readability and fidelity to the original sources are not necessarily mutually exclusive ideals.

The Common English Bible (New Testament) was recently released; the Old Testament will be released later in 2011.

The CEB describes its translation method as a hybrid: Verbal equivalence with dynamic balance and common language


For its OT textual base the CEB uses the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (4th edition) and Biblia Hebraica Quinta (5th edition).

Its NT textual base is drawn from the Nestle Aland 27th Edition (1993) with the Gottingen Septuagint (supplemented by Ralf's Septuagint where the Gottingen Septuagint is incomplete).

In my opinion the CEB will be a strong rival to the current New Living Translation and the upcoming New International Version (due 2011).

I’ll probably be reading and studying from the CEB over the next year.

Here are some samples with comparisons with the New Living Translation and the English Standard Version.
By the way, you can download the Common English Bible (Genesis, Matthew, Luke) on its web site for your own comparisons.

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the desert of Judea announcing,
“Change your heart and lives! Here comes the kingdom of heaven!”
He was the one of whom Isaiah the prophet spoke when he said:
The voice of one shouting in the wilderness,
Prepare the way for the Lord;
make his paths straight.”
Matthew 3:1–3 (Common English Bible)

In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was,
“Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming! Clear the road for him!’ ”
Matthew 3:1–3 (NLT)

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’ ”
Matthew 3:1–3 (ESV)

********************************************

Therefore it was credited to him as righteousness. But the scripture that says it was credited to him wasn’t written only for Abraham’s sake. It was written also for our sake, because it is going to be credited to us too. It will be credited to those of us who have faith in the one who raised Jesus or Lord from the dead. He was handed over because of our mistakes, and he was raised to meet the requirements of righteousness for us.
Romans 4:22–25 (CEB)

And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.
And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.
Romans 4:22–25 (NLT)

That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.”
But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone,
but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord,
who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
Romans 4:22–25 (ESV)

Notice its unique departure from both versions;
Notice where it follows a dynamic translation method;
And notice where it uses a literal word-for-word methodology.

Rob

 

He was handed over because of our mistakes, and he was raised to meet the requirements of righteousness for us.
Romans 4:22–25 (CEB)

That caught my eye too!

Do you think "offences" is a better word? (AV)
or
trespasses (ASV, HCSB, NRSV)
transgressions (NET, NAB, NAS)
failures (God’s Word Translation)
sins (Good News, NIV, NLT)
mistakes (CEB)

Definition:
mistake
■ noun something which is not correct; an inaccuracy.
▶ an act or judgement that is misguided or wrong.
Concise Oxford English Dictionary, 11th ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004).

Christ covers my intentional and unintentional mistakes

Sure makes me think...

Rob

 

You're obviously from the other half of English readers that the CEB was designed to not to reach.

Rob