Thinline Bible, Tan/Brick Red DecoTone

This is a colloquial, easy-to-read translation. It would be a good Bible for children. Some of the readings seem strange. For example: Psalm 34.22: "The Lord saves his servants' lives; all those who take refuge in him won't be held responsible for anything." Matthew 5.3: "Happy are people who are hopeless..." John 3.36: "Whoever doesn't believe in the Son won't see life, but the angry judgment of God remains on them." But my biggest problem with this book is that the binding is so poor. It's a pretty book and the imitation leather feels good in the hand, but the book quickly fell away from the cover.

Purchased some copies of this edition of the Bible for high school/college age Sunday School students. I also have a copy for myself. Students find this easy to follow and understand. I like to reference this edition with other editions for clearer understanding of any given passage.

This given as a gift. It seemed to be exactly what he wanted.

Common English Bible Thinline Tan/Brick Red DecoTone by AnonymousMy rating: 3 of 5 starsThe 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 the 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.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.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 the CEB really seems to be geared 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.

Eleanor Schmidt recalled a time she went to her doctor: "My doctor had recommended surgery and referred me to a specialist. Arriving early for my appointment, I found the door unlocked and the young surgeon, deeply engrossed in reading, behind the receptionist's desk. When he didn't hear me come in, I cleared my throat. Startled, he closed the book, which I recognized as a Bible. `Does reading the Bible help you before or after an operation?' I asked. My fears were dispelled by his soft, one-word answer: `During."' And God has given men His Word revealed in the Bible; a revelation to help His people in good times and hard times. And in the "Common English Bible" one finds a novel look at an English translation of the Hebrew and Greek texts of the Bible. This English rendition is new and very readable, but in some ways a bit startling. The CEB arrives as a fresh version that the average reader is able to understand; including non-Christians.Traditional readers of the KJV, ESV, or ASV may not like it because much of the standard vocabulary of modern Christianity is not employed in many significant passages. Some may think that doctrine is watered down in favor of readability. Many important theological words are utilized far less than past English translations; including: repent, vipers, abomination, and blasphemy.The CEB provides:- Three month day study plan- Single column arrangement- Maps supplied by National Geographic- Field tested by almost 80 scholars and readers- The oversight of more than 100 biblical scholars from non-conservative traditionsThe CEB committee is made up of many non-conservative denominational publishers: Disciples of Christ; P.C U.S.A.; Episcopal Church; United Churches of Christ, and U.M.C. which should convey a lot to the potential reader.The printed text is easy to see and read, but it lacks a small concordance that various Bibles place in the back. The CEB aims to be non-traditional to improve accessibility; it is almost an eccentric overhaul that goes beyond modern revisions of the KJV or ASV as it aims to become a resource to assist lightly-churched or non-Christians to form a deeper relationship with God through Jesus Christ.Mike Robinson Author of:"Truth, Knowledge and the Reason for God: The Defense of the Rational Assurance of Christianity"

Good translation