Inspirational Sunday: The Common English Bible & National Bible Week

National Bible Week is observed annually in the United States during the week of Thanksgiving.  It has been celebrated every year since 1941 and gives the U.S.a chance to "raise awareness of the Bible's importance and relevance to our nation as a whole, as well as in the lives of individuals."

I am thrilled to be participating in the Thank-You-Come Again-I Promise Blog Tour that kicks off today and continues through the end of January ~ an appropriate season for the Common English Bible tour.  Have you heard of this translation?  Seen it? Used it?

I had the privilege of snagging a copy at the International Christian Bookseller's Trade Show in Atlanta a few months ago and this translation is phenomenal. Below are just a few tidbits about the Common English Bible:

• Known for being built on "common ground;"
• The Common English Bible is the work of 120 biblical scholars from 24 denominations in American, African, Asian, European, and Latino communities;
• More than 500 average readers in 77 groups field-tested the translation;
• With the internet and technology of today, the Common English Bible was translated and completed in less than four years;
• The Common English Bible is sponsored by the Common English Bible Committee, an alliance of five publishers that serve the general market, as well as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (Chalice Press), Presbyterian Church (USA) (Westminster John Knox Press), Episcopal Church (Church Publishing, Inc.), United Church of Christ, (The Pilgrim Press), and The United Methodist Church (Abingdon Press).

"When we say 'built on common ground,' we mean the Common English Bible is the result of collaboration between opposites: scholars working with average readers; conservatives working with liberals; teens working with retirees; men working with women; many denominations and many ethnicities coming together around the common goal of creating a vibrant and clear translation for 21st century readers, with the ultimate objective of mutually accomplishing God's overall work in the world; in essence, helping Bible readers live on common ground," says Paul Franklyn, PhD, associate publisher for the Common English Bible

This translation has been written on the same reading level as the USA Today; and while I love reading the USA Today and can comprehend even the Wall Street stories, it is a trillion times better to be able to comprehend my Bible....even the more obscure passages!

Here is a taste of what I've been reading these past few months:

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.

Proverbs 12:18-20  Some chatter on like a stabbing sword, but a wise tongue heals. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of those who plan evil, but there is joy for those who advise peace.

James 1:13-18  No one who is tested should say "God is tempting me!" This is because God is not tempted by any form of evil, nor does he tempt anyone. Everyone is tempted by their own cravings; they are lured away and enticed by them. Once these cravings conceive, they give birth to sin; and when sin grows up, it gives birth to death. Don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes from above. These gifts come down from the Father, the creator of the heavenly lights, in whose character there is no change at all. He chose to give us birth by his true word, and here is the result: we are like the first crop from the harvest of everything he created.

Genesis 1:1-5  When God began to create the heavens and the earth - the earth was without shape or form, it was dark over the deep sea, and God's wind swept over the waters - God said, "Let there be light." And so light appeared. God saw how good the light was. God separated the light from the darkness. God named the light Day and the darkness Night.

The publishers have graciously provided a copy of the Common English Bible for a lucky reader.  To enter for the Bible, please leave your email address in the comments below and answer the following question: Have you seen, heard, or used the Common English Bible yet?  The winner will be chosen using random.org. Contest ends on Saturday, November 26th at 11:59 p.m.  The winner will be announced on Sunday, November 27th.
 
a fresh translation to touch the heart and mind
Notable Links ~
Common English Bible Website
The Bible is now on Twitter!
"Like" the Common English Bible on Facebook and receive three gorgeous calligraphy Bible verses that are high resolution downloads

Blessings,