CEB Common English Bible

by Anonymous

Take a fresh look at the Bible while you experience a new translation. The Common English Bible is relevant, readable, and reliable. The result is a new version that the typical reader or worshipper is able to understand. 115 leading biblical scholars from 22 faith traditions and 77 reading specialists in 13 denominations worked on this translation.

Genres: Reference, Religion, Christianity, Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Non Fiction, Scripture

3089 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2010

About the author

Books can be attributed to "Anonymous" for several reasons:

* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author

Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.

See also: Anonymous

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is God’s Word, aka the best book ever written. What else do I need to say?

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, to start with, I was expecting the entire bible, but instead I was presented with the book of Mark. That's okay, because Mark was more than enough to explore the features of this study Bible.

After being presented with an introduction, this version started on with the text proper, the verses were presented with other notes and verses that support what is being said. The 2nd verse referred to prophecy and several verses and references were present that support the reference to prophecy. Other versus were presented with clarifying statements taken from the Greek New Testament. The text also points out parallel text from the other Gospels. The version itself is clear and easy to read. I am not a big fan of adding words to make the verse smoother and easier to understand. When Christ feed the crowds, his instruction was to seat people in groups "as if they were having a banquet".

I have other study bibles, and other versions of the Bible. I have copies of them on my Kindle so I am able to go back and forth comparing what is being said and how it is being said between the various versions of the Bible. This could very well become a new tool in my go-to books and I look forward to having it a part of my arsenal.

Pick it up when you have the chance. I think it will make a good first study Bible if not another you can add to your resources.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, it's not that I've actually read the whole thing, I just want to move it of my "currently reading" list so it doesn't stay there forever.
I am enamored of the Common English Bible. I love it especially because I admire the way the Psalms are rendered. That's sort of my test case for all translations and paraphrases. Do the Psalms still feel poetic without being obscure? I want to use them in worship and frequently paraphrase them myself because even in the NRSV, the vocabulary is the kind most of us have to stop and ponder to be sure what we're saying. That just doesn't happen in worship, when we read these things quickly in a piece of the liturgy.
What I would really like is a paper copy with print I can read. For the Psalms, I'm using the Kindle version, and I have a paperback copy in my office that I'm planning to share in our Bible Study to offer an alternative to the NRSV and the NIV. I got a copy for my daughter as her Confirmation gift (leatherbound, very nice quality). You can read more about the CEB here.

[Christopher Good · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eight out of ten.

This year, I've become much more strongly convinced of the intrinsic power and value of the Word of God. And the Common English Bible has helped me connect with some of it in a new way.

Disclaimer: I read only the Bible itself, not the study guides.

The overall tone of this Bible translation is fairly easy-going. As far as literal translation goes, it ranks below median; it's more accurate than some contemporary translations (CEV, MSG, NLT), but not as textually reliable as more traditional versions such as NRSV or NIV.

However, I enjoyed reading it. The grammar and syntax used are natural, and much more consistently pleasant than the NIV or CEV. Rarely did I feel that I was being condescended to by the simple language. While I wouldn't give the CEB's Wisdom literature the glowing endorsement another reviewer has, I'm again willing to grant that it's better than other contemporary translations.

Things I didn't like? Some particular translational choices, especially the "Son of Man" idiom rendered "Human One". I didn't like the change of "blessed" to "happy" or "favored" - though it seems justifiable enough in many cases. Did God really ask Job about a hippopotamus and a crocodile? I'd like to single out the epistle to the Hebrews as one book that felt very poorly translated in general.

Having said all that, I feel the CEB is relatively clean, elegant, and doctrinally unbiased. While I'm going back to ESV in the new year, I'd definitely recommend this Bible to anyone looking for a solid contemporary translation.

[Melinda Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This translation has been around a few years but was a refreshing read. I still prefer the NRSV in some places but the CEB caused me to pause over the passages I would glance over for familiarity. Loved the change of Son of Man to Human One, and a few others. There are some places it is not as strong, but overall a good translation. I have the Wide Margin version for journaling along with the Study Bible. Read this version from Genesis to Revelation in 2021 via the 5 Day Bible Reading Plan.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I like the Common English Bible (CEB). I like its tone, which is more conversational than the NRSV and NIV. Occasionally, it uses colloquialisms, which set a different tone than the rest of the CEB. I like the fact that it uses contractions and that the phrase that is usually rendered "Son of Man" now becomes "Human One." I like the "faithfulness of Jesus" where earlier translations have "faith in Jesus," although the translation is not consistent throughout.

I do not like how it renders some of the terms that have been rendered "sodomites," as in the NRSV. 1 Cor 6:9 lists among those who won't inherit the kingdom "both participants in same-sex intercourse"! We really don't know what that term means. Also, I'm not sure about the translation "selfishness" for the Greek term normally translated "flesh."

I commend those who had a hand in bringing this translation into the light. I think that I will stick with my NRSV, but the CEB is an earnest attempt to share the Word in 21st-century words.

[Abby]

Friends, I am reading the whole bible in a year! Having grown up Catholic, I basically never really read the bible, but important to get educated!

[Fr. River]

This is an excellent translation. It is contemporary, easily readable, and brings to life the words of Scripture

[Catie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read through the Bible this year, chronologically! Was really great. I don't think I'd do it every year because it's a lot to take in, but I'm so glad I did it.

[Mechthild · Rating 4 out of 5]

A study Bible using a paraphrase translation approach

Being the owner of various Study Bibles in different languages (German, English, French) based on different translations (Luther, NLT, NIV, ESV, La Bible du Semeur, Segond 21) and being the owner of the CEB New Testament and CEB Psalms for Kindle, I was interested in the approach that this study Bible uses. The translation which is used for the CEB Study Bible is between a paraphrase (e.g., being used for "The Message") and a thought-for-thought approach (e.g., being used for the "New International Version). The CEB Study Bible is published by Abingdon Press.
I was provided with a sample from the publisher through NetGalley that consists of the Introduction to and the Gospel of Mark, as well as excerpts from Exodus (parts of the introduction, chapter 7:13-19 and 26:24-37) and excerpts from Leviticus (Introduction, chapter 6:18-23). The sample provides also a part of the pages that are usual in Bibles such as "unique features" (e.g., the article about "The Authority of Scripture" by Joel B. Green), reliability, relevance, editorial board, contributors, editors, and translators. Very sadly samples of the maps are missing.
The text of the study Bible is presented in a simple column with the cross-references in the outside margins (whereas other study Bibles use a two-column approach and place the cross-references in between the columns). Some people consider the single-column approach favorable for a more easy readability, but in my opinion it depends also on personal preferences. The study notes are placed underneath the Bible text in two columns. The "Side-bar Articles", e.g., about God's Kingdom in Mark 3 are placed on a pale blue background between the Bible text and the study notes. I was missing the little maps in the study notes, e.g., about Jesus' ministry that can be found in other study Bibles such as the "New Life Application Study Bible - New Living Translation" or the "La Bible avec notes d'étude Vie Nouvelle - Segond 21".
Since I am not a mother-tongue English speaker (that would be German) and since I am neither a Hebrew nor a Greek scholar, I trust the quality of the translation to the over 110 scholars from the 22 faith traditions who have worked on this study Bible. In any case I have discovered that the CEB Study Bible contains far more cross-references than the CEB New Testament - Kindle version.
I recommend this Study Bible for those who want to use a study Bible that is easy understandable and has a good readability. For those who prefer a "thought-for-thought" approach a study Bible based on the NIV, NLT, or a similar translations is recommended whereas for those who prefer a "word-for-word" translation, my recommendation would be a study Bible based on the KJV, ESV, or a similar translations.

This book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a positive review.
#CEBStudyBible #NetGalley

[Scott Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The review copy only contained a few chapters so this review is based on what was available to the writer and not the entire book. A fair proportion of the sample copy contained the introduction and reference material with only a very small proportion of the sample being the actual chapters of the Study Bible.

The CEB Study Bible seemed to contain some nice quality photos and images of locations and items referenced in the text. The Chart of Major Offerings was an interesting summary of the types of tributes mentioned in the book of Leviticus.

Overall it was too hard to write a comprehensive review on the Study Bible due to the limited amount of the actual book given in the sample provided.

[Breath of Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am going to get this out of the way, I Am and Always Will Be A King James Version Gal! But this Bible is awesome. I had my daughter, who is not a King James Version gal, to pick a couple of her favorite verses and read them out of this version. She did and was impressed that she could understand and like the way this one was written. I also spoke to my daughter n law who also likes the King James Version like me, and had her do the same. She was also impressed as to:

To read the rest of my review: https://breathoflifebookreviews.blogs...

[Steven Bullmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really, really appreciate the sidebars and footnotes that reflect the thoughts, sermons, and teachings of John Wesley. It added value to my reading of Scripture to read it vicariously through the founder of my denomination. My only complaint is some of the translation choices made by the CEB; particularly translating "Son of Man" as "the human one." I've met lots of human beings in my lifetime; none of them look, act, or talk like the "Son of Man" in Daniel or the Gospels. Whatever the original intent of the description, I'm pretty sure it was not to express the human side of Deity.

[Jason Muckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Common English Study Bible (CEB) includes introductions to each book with a helpful timeline to key events that occur. It has some pictures of the landscape as well. This version is a very "readable" version with many tools and tips to further improve understanding. There are many cross-references for verses and other complementary verses that support each verse.

The Bible was put together by a number of scholars who assisted in the interpretation as well. This is a great version to get a new perspective on God's Word.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over all, I really like the way this translation makes sense of certain passages--particularly NT ones. It often put familar verses in a fresh way. There are other translation or editorial calls that found frustrating (son of man=human one, leviathan and behemoth in Job=crocodile and hippopotamus, etc). However, this will be a good translation to consult alongside other translations or read for enjoyment.

[Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a serviceable translation of scripture. I don't think it is as good as the NRSV and is just as prone to some clunky renderings of the text. However, if someone is looking to read a translation that situates itself outside the King James tradition, then this is an excellent place to start.

[CD]

The Book

The Common English Bible is a hybrid common language translation of the Christian Bible. It was first published in 2010 and 2011 by the Common English Bible Committee. This work draws from 117 scholar/translators from 22 denominations/Christian traditions. The Common English Bible website, yes Virginia a Bible with it own web page, lists even more scholar/translators and denominations than the first press pre-releases to other publishers and vendors. CEB itself credits 118 biblical scholars, the website ups the number to 120 translators and 24 denominations.

Maps included are from the National Geographic. They cover Israel in the Late Bronze Age, Exodus, the United Monarchy, Babylonia and Israel, the Roman Empire, Palestine and Jerusalem at the time of Jesus (2 maps), and Paul's Journeys.

The Translation

Two months nearly have passed since I first starting reading through this latest version of the Bible. It is not my 'first dance' with this work so as a disclaimer I'll just say I did not read every word in this version and most certainly did not read it in order. Certain books and chapters that are personal favorites or are generally accepted as critical were my first concern. But I read a lot and will read probably most all of it plus some books and chapters again in the months to come this year.

First, there's no "In the Beginning" in the beginning. Genesis starts off without the familiar and widely known phrase, but God still pronounces light in the familiar English form. The CEB translators and compilers made several decisions about readability and modern vernacular as the basis for their transliteration instead of translation. 'In the beginning' is one of many phrases and formulations that fall by the way in this verbal equivalence and common language Bible.

The Sources and Manuscripts used by the compilers are themselves fairly new or even in progress translations and collections of primary sources at the time of publication of the CEB. A list of Abbreviations and Terms fronts the Preface and includes notes for the reader as to primary/secondary sources used as 'tie breakers' (like all works of this type) to arrive at the final published writing. The recent vintage of this work allows for and makes use of modern and recent scholarship including the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Hybrid/equivalence/transliterations all have tradeoffs as do direct verbatim translation forms of the Bible. In many cases the works we know in English (or another modern current day language) are themselves compiled from numerous sources or alternative versions of the same part of a biblical book. From this the CEB board made several interesting choices about how to present this work. Included are previously unusual items such as the inclusion of contractions mimicking modern speech and communication. Where the bible might use a cubit, a modern measurement has been substituted that for the sake of understandability.

Naming and other conventions of address including familiar forms such as the Son of Man are replaced by a different and according to the CEB Board a more accurate translation. 'Human One' is now the preferred and chosen term.

Even the 'Amens' as some groups call them in prayers are omitted as they don't have any existence in the original texts. The 'Amens' were definitely known (well know additions documented by the scholars at the time of the KJV) to have been included for the purposes of that portion of the bible to also be a prayer book too. After all, in the early centuries after Guttenberg started moving type around, there were still few books available. So compilation was acceptable and 'needed'. CEB is quite consistent in this usage in the portions of the book that I scanned (not skimmed!).

Even the normal formulations of the Lord's Prayer undergoes some minor modification, including the Amens. Strangely, John 3:16 is as unchanged as anything even if it is an archaic formulation. that is easy to understand.

Reviewers Commentary on the Common English Bible

There has been no star valuation placed on this book as it falls outside of my criteria for each rating level. Since I've read many times the Bible in various bits and pieces and numerous commentaries I'll not try to assign it to a range of terrible to life changing. Their are first timers who will find the form of this book may allow them to assign such a rating.

This bible dispenses with many of the grand literary traditions and the poetry that has inspired and influenced other literature to say nothing of peoples traditions for centuries. It is none the less an interesting attempt to again make the Bible readable. Attempts over the years to do similar have in some cases only opened discussions anew in ways that did not always have the effect intended by the latest editors. The rise of the modern Evangelical movement was in no small part driven by among other things the Good News Bible.

The Common English Bible is certainly a work that those who wish to continue to be conversant with Christians and Christianity in 10-20 years will want to familiarize themselves with alongside the versions they have previously read.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Favorite Bible that I go to first. I love the Wesley and Methodist doctrine, theology and stories in the study part. As well as Charles Wesley's hymns throughout. This is CEB but Leather. Nice colors and good for men or women. However, touch of Pink makes me love it most!

[Kalina Kelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really a big fan of these types of study Bibles. I like the whole Bible but with boys of information in the margins or at the bottom of the page. This was like a devotional type book. Maybe that's what the intent was but anyway not for me.

[Austin Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting, new translation, which always helps read things with fresh eyes. But it wasn’t my favorite. I didn’t like how “blessed” was translated to “happy” in the Psalms and Matthew 5, for example. Just some stuff like that. It is very readable, though.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This transition claimed to use more inclusive language for God and God’s people. While it is an improvement over prior translations, I think it could have gone further and still remain true to the original text.

[Robin Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio edition of this Bible. It’s the Common English Bible, and common it is. This makes it listenable and charming in its own way. I thoroughly enjoyed this audio Bible and noticed many things I had missed in reading with my eyes.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The CEB translation is easy to read and follow. Although this isn’t my favorite Bible translation, it is well done and very easy to follow!

[Beth SHULAM · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best versions of the Bible for easy reading because of the modern English translation.
This is the version I keep with me in my purse and goes everywhere with me.

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely awful, worst Bible translation I've ever read

[Elsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I missed some of the poetry of the NRSV but so appreciate the readability and quirkiness of this translation. Read the whole Bible in 2022 in the 5 Day Reading Plan.

[LWF · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the way this Bible reads

[Lizzie Bryce · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 recommend. Such a good protagonist. Spoiler alert: he doesn’t actually die.

[Scott Asher · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the last couple years there has been an explosion in new translations of the Bible. The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NAB) is the first new Catholic Bible in 40 years. The New NIV (NIV) is the first major update to the New International Version (NIV84) in nearly 26 years. There have been new versions for the New Living Translation (NLT) and the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) in the last two years as well. Add to these the not yet fully completed (there are New Testaments, but not yet Old Testaments for these versions,) The Voice and The [Expanded] Bible. If there were too many versions to keep up with previously, then these last few years have not been kind. And now there is another completely new version, the Common English Bible (CEB).

Common English Bible
A Fresh Translation to Touch the Heart and Mind
2011

I originally received this new version in November 2011, and was going to review it for Bible Week at the end of November, but when I got it and started reading it I realized this was going to be much harder to do so I took the last several months to really get to know this translation. And after a time I grew to enjoy it!

The CEB is unlike the most recent versions of the Bible, like The [Expanded] Bible, which could be described as a newer, more authentically translated Amplified Bible, and the Voice, which could be described as similar to The Message, although with more emphasis on translation rather than a single interpreter. The CEB is a completely new translation by more than a hundred scholars from 22 denominations and field tested for realistic English common language (something the Message could have used!) The results are passages that are completely different sounding that what I was used to.

Consider the Lord’s Prayer from Matthew 6:9-13:

Our Father who is in heaven,
uphold the holiness of your name.
Bring in your kingdom
so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven.
Give us the bread we need for today.
Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you,
just as we also forgive those who have wronged us.
And don’t lead us into temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one.
Awkward at first I found that I started to get the point of the new translation: accuracy over tradition. Most of us who have been in church for any amount of time have that prayer memorized, but the version we have memorized draws heavily from the King James Version, a Translation that is now over 500 years old. This tradition has been preserved in some of the most well known passages even in so-called current versions like the NIV84, where that first verse reads: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…”

The question is: does anyone know what “hallowed” means? Follow-up question: if we have to translate the translation for it to make sense are we really speaking in a common, normal language?

Much of the New Testament was written in Koine Greek – the street language version of Greek. (As opposed to high Greek, which philosophers used.) Clearly, the writers were focused on making the New Testament accessible to as many readers as possible. And while many translations and interpretations have attempted to do this for modern Christians, the CEB is one of the few that I’ve found to be successful, although not the best.

Take the Message, which I enjoy for what it is – a single person’s attempt to make the Bible accessible – and consider that same passage in Matthew 6, which reads, “Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are.” While that makes sense and doesn’t need a secondary translation to understand, it isn’t what the original says.

A version that is most similar to the CEB is the NLT, which I also use regularly and believe does a slightly better job of making the Bible accessible, which translates Matthew 6:9 as, “Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.” Comparing the NLT and the CEB I find two things to be true: both are exceptionally clear and both use English in a way that is easy to understand without secondary translation.

But the NLT does a slightly better job of trying not to sound foreign to the reader. It can be quite a shock to read some of the CEB passages when used to the NIV84 or HCSB, as I am. But the NLT doesn’t suffer from such a huge distance between traditional translations and more correct common language interpreting.

That said, the Common English Bible is clearly one of the better new versions around and I applaud the scholarship and cross-denominational support that came together to lead this project. The more excellent translations that there are available the better.

Published at BookGateway.com. This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.

[Sunflower · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Common English Bible, is being hailed as a new translation for the modern world and after having a chance to peruse the book, since November, what really impressed me about this translation, that although it is slightly comparable to the ESV, due to it being written in a fluid writing that makes the reading of God's Word, even more accessible to the average reader, at the same time, the language is very modern that makes it a change from reading the bible from more traditional versions such as the NKJV or ESV or even NRSV.

Though personally preferring the ESV and NKJV, for the language and particularly the KJV, for its poetic language, what I like and think many will enjoy with the CEB, is that it is geared toward reading as people today speak.

There were some translation of scripture that I personally thought was questionable, but one has to keep in mind, that there is a variation across the board, with each of the different translations that are out there, and if you are looking for a bible for in depth bible study,it helps to have several translations on hand, just to get an idea of how the verses may varied, but for everyday reading, the CEB, really accomplishes that goal.

Some of the differences the reader may encounter is,for example, Genesis 1:1, that the CEB actually provides examples from the CEB, NRSV, and NIV to help readers see how this current translation differs and can be seen at this link: http://www.commonenglishbible.com/Exp....

One has to keep in mind, that different translations, has always been met with doubt, so it helps to use any translation of the bible, with a translation that you are comfortable with, but also, with an open heart, take the time to compare and see what is it about any translation, that is used, that makes it worth being used.

In this case, those who are more comfortable with say, the KJV, may find the CEB, confusing, but there are vast differences too in resources that are use to translate a bible and personal preference and the CEB seems to be almost similar to that of the Good News Bible, although, there were a few cases that the "natural" wording, read out loud, more un-natural than it was intending.

Truthfully, the NLT and NRSV seem to have better word flow than the CEB, where at times, the wording seem choppy and stagger in a pace that didn't read comfortable. However, given how new the CEB is at the time, there will bound to be mixed reviews and it will take really more than cursory reading the CEB to see how much more of a comfortable read it is, so its really about taking the time to compare the translations and taking the time to read about the background when it comes to choosing a bible.

For more in depth studying, I can see the NLT,NRSV, ESV and NKJV, still winning out, but for an everday read, I can see the CEB, being a more comfortable read for those who are either very familiar with the bible, or those who are new to reading the bible for the first time, making the CEB, a bible translation to consider.


If you are looking for, how does the verses compare with other translations, here is one resource:
http://www.commonenglishbible.com/Exp..., but with how new the CEB, it will be awhile to really get the feel of the CEB as a whole.

Some things to note, when considering this version, the CEB was written to be read at a seventh grade level, and the language is of a more common English than what would be found in the NRSV or ESV so expect to see translations that will differ more than any other bible that is out there.

The verdict is really out there as far as the CEB goes, with it not being a bad translation, a definite shift from the translations that are out there, including that of the Message and Amplified Bible, and may fall into, up to the reader themselves.

As a resource for deeper bible study, that is debatable there and seems to be geared really more for just general reading and not really for academic or in depth study, but this doesn't detract from its appeal to a more mainstream audience that would find this and easier translation to read.

Either way, the CEB is still worth checking out and has merit for use for anyone's bible reading.