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Common English Bible

The Common English Bible (CEB) is a modern English translation of the Christian Bible, published in 2011 after development beginning in late 2008, produced by over 120 biblical scholars from 24 diverse faith traditions to render scripture in natural, idiomatic language suitable for contemporary readers.^[1]^[2] The translation process incorporated rigorous review by 77 reading groups across more than 12 denominations, focusing on achieving a seventh-grade reading level to make the text accessible to over half of English speakers, including children and youth, while preserving the original authors' intent through a blended philosophy of formal and dynamic equivalence.^[2]^[3]^[4] Funded by the Church Resources Development Corporation and distributed via partnerships with mainline Protestant publishers such as Abingdon Press and Chalice Press, the CEB prioritizes thought-for-thought clarity over strict word-for-word literalism, resulting in phrasing that avoids archaic or overly technical "Christianese" terms in favor of everyday expressions.^[2]^[5] This approach has been lauded for enhancing personal study, worship participation, and relational understanding of the biblical narrative, with some editions including the Apocrypha or deuterocanonical books to broaden its ecumenical appeal.^[6]^[3] However, the CEB has encountered criticism from advocates of more formal equivalence translations for instances where readability leads to interpretive smoothing, such as substituting "honor" for "worship" in certain passages or rephrasing to align with modern sensibilities, potentially diluting precise theological distinctions.^[4]^[7]^[8]

Origins and Development

Initiation and Timeline

The Common English Bible (CEB) translation project originated from an initiative by the Common English Bible Committee, comprising publishers affiliated with mainline Protestant denominations, including Abingdon Press (United Methodist Church), Westminster John Knox Press (Presbyterian Church USA), Church Publishing (Episcopal Church), Pilgrim Press (United Church of Christ), and Chalice Press (Disciples of Christ).^[2] This collaborative effort was funded through the Church Resources Development Corp., a nonprofit entity established to support Bible translation without direct denominational funding constraints.^[9] The project's aim was to produce a fresh, readable English translation accessible to diverse audiences, distinct from revisions of prior versions like the New Revised Standard Version.^[1] Translation work formally began in late 2008, involving over 120 scholars representing 22 to 24 faith traditions from multiple continents, who rendered the texts from original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek sources.^[1]^[10] Drafts underwent iterative review by 77 reading groups comprising more than 500 individuals across North American denominations, focusing on clarity and natural English idiom at a seventh-grade reading level.^[10] The New Testament was released in October 2010, allowing initial testing in worship and study settings.^[11] The full Bible, encompassing the Old Testament, New Testament, and optional deuterocanonical books in some editions, was completed and published in 2011, marking the project's conclusion after approximately three years of intensive effort.^[10] This timeline reflected a deliberate acceleration compared to longer translation projects, prioritizing collaborative efficiency and reader feedback to address perceived gaps in contemporary English Bible accessibility.^[1]

Translation Team and Funding

The Common English Bible translation involved over 120 biblical scholars drawn from 22 faith traditions, including mainline Protestant denominations such as the United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Episcopal Church, United Church of Christ, and Disciples of Christ, as well as Catholic, Evangelical, Baptist, and Reform Jewish representatives.^[10]^[2] These scholars represented diverse cultural backgrounds, encompassing American, African, Asian, European, and Latino communities, with both male and female contributors from institutions like Emory University, Fuller Theological Seminary, and Yale Divinity School.^[12] The team structure featured specialized roles, including a Board of Editors led by David L. Petersen as Old Testament Editor and Joel B. Green as New Testament Editor, alongside associate editors for the Old Testament (e.g., Brent A. Strawn, Ted Hiebert), New Testament (e.g., Cynthia Long Westfall), Apocrypha (e.g., David A. deSilva, Emerson B. Powery), and readability (e.g., Elizabeth Caldwell, Carol A. Wehrheim).^[12] Approximately 111 scholars served as primary translators for specific books or sections, with their work reviewed by 77 reading groups from over a dozen denominations across North America to ensure natural readability and accessibility.^[10]^[2] Funding for the project was provided by the Church Resources Development Corp., a cooperative entity that facilitated joint investment among allied denominational publishers without reliance on individual church tithes or external grants.^[2] This alliance, formalized as the Common English Bible Committee, comprised publishers such as Abingdon Press (United Methodist Church), Chalice Press (Disciples of Christ), Westminster John Knox Press and Geneva Press (Presbyterian Church U.S.A.), Church Publishing Inc. (Episcopal Church), and Pilgrim Press (United Church of Christ).^[10]^[2] Abingdon Press acted as the primary sales and distribution partner, enabling broad market access while the cooperative model minimized costs through shared resources and avoided profit-driven motives typical of commercial ventures.^[2] The funding supported the six-year translation effort, initiated in late 2008 and completed in 2011, encompassing scholar stipends, editorial oversight, and field-testing phases.^[2]

Source Texts

Hebrew Bible for the Old Testament

The Old Testament portion of the Common English Bible (CEB) is translated from the Hebrew Bible, with the Masoretic Text (MT) serving as the primary base text.^[10] This textual tradition, preserved by Jewish scholars known as the Masoretes between the 7th and 10th centuries CE, includes consonantal Hebrew from earlier manuscripts, supplemented by vowel points, accents, and marginal notes (masorah) to standardize pronunciation and interpretation. The CEB translators specifically utilized the Masoretic Text as edited in the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (BHS), the standard critical edition published in 1977 and derived from the Leningrad Codex (dated 1008 CE), the oldest complete Masoretic manuscript.^[10] In addition to the BHS, the translation team consulted the emerging Biblia Hebraica Quinta (BHQ) fascicles, which provide updated critical apparatus based on newly available manuscripts and textual criticism.^[1]^[10] For Aramaic sections—such as portions of Daniel (2:4b–7:28), Ezra (4:8–6:18; 7:12–26), and Jeremiah 10:11—the CEB draws from the corresponding Masoretic Aramaic, which constitutes about 1% of the Hebrew Bible's content and reflects post-exilic linguistic influences. Where textual variants or ambiguities arose, translators referenced ancient witnesses including the Dead Sea Scrolls (discovered 1947–1956, dating from the 3rd century BCE to 1st century CE), the Samaritan Pentateuch, and occasionally the Septuagint (Greek translation from ca. 3rd–2nd centuries BCE) for comparative insights, though deviations from the MT were rare and justified only by strong manuscript evidence.^[1] This approach prioritizes the MT's authority as the received Hebrew tradition while incorporating eclectic scholarship to resolve cruxes, ensuring fidelity to the proto-Masoretic textual family that underlies most modern Jewish and Protestant Old Testament editions. The CEB's commitment to the Hebrew Bible excludes deuterocanonical books (e.g., Tobit, Judith), aligning with Protestant canons that limit the Old Testament to the 39 books of the Masoretic corpus, spanning from Genesis to Malachi.^[10] This contrasts with Catholic or Orthodox editions that incorporate additional Greek-origin texts from the Septuagint. Overall, the translation process involved over 120 scholars, with Old Testament work emphasizing semantic accuracy over formal equivalence, rendering Hebrew idioms into natural English while preserving theological nuances derived from the source's syntax and vocabulary.^[1]

Greek New Testament

The New Testament translation in the Common English Bible draws directly from the 27th edition of Novum Testamentum Graece by Nestle-Aland (NA27), an eclectic critical text published in 1993 by the United Bible Societies and Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft.^[10] This edition compiles readings from approximately 5,800 extant Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, alongside evidence from ancient versions (such as Latin Vulgate and Syriac Peshitta) and patristic citations, selecting the main text based on criteria like external attestation from early witnesses and internal transcriptional probability.^[13] The NA27 includes a detailed critical apparatus listing variant readings and supporting manuscript sigla, enabling translators to assess textual reliability for each passage.^[10] CEB translators adopted NA27 as their base while applying an eclectic method, weighing variant options against the edition's apparatus when manuscript divergence could affect meaning, such as in cases of additions or omissions absent from the oldest papyri and uncials (e.g., the longer ending of Mark 16:9–20 or the Pericope Adulterae in John 7:53–8:11, both bracketed in NA27 with minimal support).^[10] Where the NA27 text was followed but alternatives merited note, footnotes in the CEB provide transparency, citing ancient manuscript evidence or cross-references to versions like the Septuagint for Old Testament quotations in the New Testament.^[10] This process reflects a commitment to fidelity with the earliest recoverable Greek readings, diverging from the Textus Receptus tradition used in pre-20th-century translations, which relies more heavily on later medieval manuscripts.^[13] The selection of NA27 positions the CEB among contemporary translations like the New Revised Standard Version and New International Version, which similarly prioritize this critical text for its empirical grounding in paleographic and codicological analysis over majority counts of later copies.^[13] Although NA27 predates the 28th edition (2012), which incorporates additional papyri and re-evaluates some apparatuses, the CEB's adherence to the 1993 standard ensures consistency with textual scholarship available during its development phase (2004–2010).^[10] No substantive departures from NA27 are reported in CEB documentation, underscoring its role as the unaltered foundational Greek source.^[10]

Deuterocanonical Books

The Common English Bible includes translations of the Deuterocanonical books—known as the Apocrypha in Protestant contexts—in select editions, such as the CEB Study Bible with Apocrypha and Thinline Bible with Apocrypha, comprising the standard fourteen books: Tobit, Judith, additions to Esther, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Baruch (including the Letter of Jeremiah), additions to Daniel (Prayer of Azariah, Susanna, Bel and the Dragon), and 1 and 2 Maccabees.^[1]^[14] These editions cater to Anglican, Orthodox, and Catholic readers while maintaining the translation's ecumenical Protestant origins.^[15] For these books, absent from the Masoretic Text, the CEB translators relied primarily on Greek sources from the Septuagint tradition, the primary vehicle for their preservation and transmission in early Christianity, supplemented by Latin Vulgate readings, Syriac Peshitta variants, and other ancient witnesses as needed for textual criticism.^[1] This approach mirrors the CEB's Old Testament methodology, which eclectically consults the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, Dead Sea Scrolls, Samaritan Pentateuch, and Septuagint to resolve ambiguities or fill gaps in the Hebrew canon, ensuring fidelity to the earliest available manuscripts over any single tradition.^[1] The resulting renderings prioritize dynamic equivalence for contemporary readability, with the Greek texts serving as the baseline for books originally composed in Greek (e.g., Wisdom, 2 Maccabees) or preserved therein (e.g., Tobit, Judith).^[3]

Translation Principles

Methodological Framework

The Common English Bible (CEB) employs a translation methodology that prioritizes functional equivalence, seeking to convey the meaning of the original texts in natural, contemporary English while maintaining fidelity to the source languages. This approach adapts idiomatic expressions and structures to idiomatic English equivalents rather than adhering strictly to word-for-word rendering, aiming to balance scholarly accuracy with accessibility for modern readers.^[10] Translators focused on producing sentences and vocabulary optimized for comprehension when read aloud, targeting use in personal devotion, communal worship, and educational settings.^[10] The methodology represents a hybrid between formal equivalence and dynamic equivalence, avoiding the rigidity of literal translations in favor of thought-for-thought clarity where necessary.^[1] The translation process involved an editorial board overseeing 120 scholars from 22 diverse faith traditions, who rendered sections from the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. Initial drafts underwent extensive review by 77 reading groups and input from over 500 individuals across North America, ensuring revisions for readability and natural flow without compromising exegetical integrity.^[10] Unique stipulations included converting ancient measurements to modern imperial units (e.g., dimensions of Noah's ark as 450 feet by 75 feet by 45 feet) and providing footnotes for transliterated terms related to capacity, weight, or currency, with minimal additional annotations limited to textual variants or significant ambiguities.^[10] Gender-neutral pronouns were applied to generic references to humanity, while retaining masculine forms where the context specified male individuals, reflecting a deliberate choice for inclusive yet contextually precise language.^[10] This framework underscores a commitment to broad denominational sponsorship, including publishers from Presbyterian Church (USA), Episcopal Church, United Methodist Church, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and United Church of Christ, which influenced the emphasis on ecumenical accessibility over confessional specificity.^[10] Innovations such as rendering "Son of Man" as "Human One" and "Lord of hosts" as "Lord of heavenly forces" exemplify the methodology's willingness to revisit traditional phrasing for conceptual equivalence, prioritizing interpretive transparency over entrenched renderings.^[10] The resulting text avoids contractions in divine speech or poetic passages but permits them in narrative dialogue to enhance oral naturalness.^[10]

Linguistic and Stylistic Choices

The Common English Bible (CEB) prioritizes linguistic accessibility through a seventh-grade reading level, achieved by simplifying vocabulary, shortening sentences, and employing everyday American English idioms to mirror natural speech patterns. This stylistic framework emerged from the translation team's focus on functional equivalence, where the primary goal is conveying the original texts' intended meaning in fluid, contemporary prose rather than adhering rigidly to source syntax or lexicon.^[1]^[3]^[5] In terms of gender-neutral language, the CEB selectively applies inclusive forms—such as "humankind" for generic Hebrew adam or "brothers and sisters" for adelphoi in contexts denoting mixed groups—only when the source implies universality rather than male specificity, thereby avoiding interpretive overreach while addressing modern perceptual barriers to the text. Masculine pronouns and nouns remain untranslated literally when tied to particular individuals or divine referents, preserving distinctions absent in overly generalized renderings. This measured approach contrasts with more aggressive inclusivity in translations like the NRSV, reflecting the CEB's ecumenical committee's consensus on fidelity to semantic intent over ideological uniformity.^[4]^[16] Stylistically, the CEB favors dynamic phrasing for narrative sections, opting for active voice and concrete imagery to enhance engagement, as seen in renderings like Genesis 1:2 ("a wind from God swept over the waters") that evoke motion and vividness without archaic flourishes. Poetic books retain parallelism and metaphor but adapt to English cadences, eschewing rhyme or elevated diction for rhythmic clarity; for example, Psalm 23 employs simple, direct lines like "The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing" to prioritize emotional resonance over formal elegance. These choices stem from rigorous testing with focus groups, ensuring phrases resonate intuitively across dialects and education levels.^[1]^[4]^[5]

Innovative Features

The Common English Bible (CEB) employs a hybrid translation philosophy that balances formal equivalence, which prioritizes word-for-word fidelity to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts, with dynamic equivalence, emphasizing thought-for-thought rendering to convey meaning in natural contemporary English.^[1] This approach seeks to maintain scholarly accuracy while enhancing readability, distinguishing it from strictly literal translations like the English Standard Version or more interpretive ones like The Message.^[4] A core innovation lies in its targeted readability at approximately a seventh-grade level, achieved through shorter sentences, frequent use of contractions, and avoidance of archaic or overly technical biblical terminology in favor of everyday phrasing.^[3] This results in a text roughly 30,000 words shorter than many comparable translations, facilitating broader accessibility for non-specialist readers without sacrificing essential doctrinal content.^[17] The CEB represents a fresh, independent translation directly from the source languages rather than revising prior English versions, involving over 100 scholars from diverse denominational backgrounds to ensure ecumenical input and reduce inherited biases from earlier works.^[18] This collaborative process, spanning 2004 to 2010, incorporated focus group feedback from over 500 readers across socioeconomic and regional lines to refine phrasing for clarity and engagement.^[1]

Reception and Evaluation

Strengths and Achievements

The Common English Bible (CEB) has been praised for its high readability, targeting a seventh-grade comprehension level to enhance accessibility for diverse audiences, including younger readers and non-native English speakers.^[19] This approach results in smooth, contemporary phrasing that encourages extended reading sessions, with reviewers noting its engaging flow comparable to modern literature.^[3]^[18] Its translation methodology strikes a balance between formal equivalence and dynamic equivalence, yielding renderings described as accurate yet vivid and lively, avoiding overly literal stiffness while preserving interpretive fidelity.^[4]^[20] The involvement of over 120 scholars from multiple Protestant traditions, including Anglican, Baptist, Episcopal, Methodist, and Presbyterian backgrounds, contributes to a broadly representative textual base that supports liturgical and devotional use.^[10] Achievements include its sponsorship by publishers from mainline denominations such as the Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), fostering ecumenical collaboration in Bible production.^[2] The CEB has seen adoption in academic settings, such as replacing the Today's New International Version at an evangelical seminary for its superior accessibility.^[19] Study editions have received commendation for comprehensive annotations and design, distinguishing them in a competitive market.^[21] User ratings average 4.5 out of 5 on platforms aggregating reader feedback, reflecting approval for its relevance and reliability in personal and communal contexts.^[22]

Criticisms and Controversies

The Common English Bible (CEB), released in 2011, has drawn criticism from conservative scholars and theologians for its dynamic equivalence approach, which prioritizes contemporary readability over strict literal fidelity to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts, potentially introducing interpretive liberties that alter doctrinal nuances.^[4]^[3] Reviewers have noted instances where this method results in renderings that deviate from traditional understandings, such as in Mark where specific passages are described as "mucked up," though without consensus on the extent of inaccuracy across the corpus.^[3] A prominent controversy centers on the CEB's gender-inclusive language, exemplified by its translation of the Greek phrase ho huios tou anthrōpou—traditionally rendered as "Son of Man" in reference to Jesus—as "the Human One" in over 80 instances.^[19]^[23] This choice, defended by translators as reflecting the idiomatic sense of anthrōpos as "human being" rather than strictly "man," has been lambasted by critics for diminishing the Christological emphasis on Jesus' divine sonship and introducing modern egalitarian sensitivities that obscure the text's patriarchal context.^[19]^[23] Such alterations align with broader debates over inclusive translations, where opponents argue they erode gender-specific biblical anthropology, as seen in parallel critiques of versions like the TNIV.^[19] Further critiques highlight lexical substitutions that soften theological weight, such as rendering commands to "worship" God as "honor" in certain passages, which dilutes the imperative of exclusive divine adoration central to monotheistic texts like Exodus 20:5.^[7] Conservative forums have expressed skepticism toward the translation's ecumenical process, involving scholars from 24 denominations including mainline Protestants and potentially influencing outcomes toward progressive interpretations.^[24] Despite these objections, empirical readability tests, such as those achieving a seventh-grade reading level, underscore the CEB's strengths in accessibility, though detractors maintain this comes at the expense of precision verifiable against critical editions like the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament.^[4]^[24] No large-scale doctrinal scandals have emerged, but the translation's reception remains polarized along interpretive traditionalism versus accessibility divides.

Comparative Standing

The Common English Bible (CEB) distinguishes itself among modern English translations through its emphasis on dynamic equivalence, prioritizing natural, contemporary phrasing for broad accessibility over word-for-word fidelity, which aligns it more closely with thought-for-thought renderings like the New Living Translation (NLT) than formal equivalence versions such as the English Standard Version (ESV).^[4] Its target reading level of approximately seventh grade enhances readability compared to the ESV or New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), which maintain higher literary registers suitable for scholarly study.^[3] For instance, in Genesis 1:1-2, the CEB renders "When God began to create the heavens and the earth—the earth was without shape or form, it was dark," emphasizing process and vivid imagery, whereas the NRSV and NIV retain "In the beginning God created," preserving traditional structure.^[25] In comparisons with the New International Version (NIV), another dynamic translation, the CEB often opts for more expansive or interpretive phrasing to convey idiomatic English, such as translating Mark 6:12's call to "repent" as "change their hearts and lives," aiming for emotional resonance over conciseness, though this can introduce perceived vagueness absent in the NIV's "preach that people should repent."^[25] The CEB's blend of methodologies yields strengths in fluid prose and cultural relevance, earning praise for engaging non-specialist readers, but it draws criticism for "adventurous" re-renderings that prioritize modern sensibilities, including gender-inclusive language (e.g., "humble" for "meek" in Matthew 5:5), which some view as diluting precision relative to the NIV's balance or the ESV's literalism.^[4]^[24] Scholarly and denominational reception positions the CEB lower in evangelical preferences, where the ESV's doctrinal conservatism and the NIV's widespread adoption prevail, than in mainline Protestant circles valuing its diverse translation team and inclusive approach.^[26] Market data underscores this: the CEB does not appear in top-10 sales rankings dominated by the NIV (leading with over 20% U.S. market growth in recent years), ESV, and NLT, reflecting limited circulation compared to these established competitors.^[27] In blind evaluations, it occasionally outperforms the NLT in dynamic clarity for specific passages but lags in overall precision, rendering it a supplementary rather than primary resource for many users.^[28]

Circulation and Legacy

Distribution and Sales

The Common English Bible (CEB) is primarily distributed through Abingdon Press, which serves as its main sales and trade representative, in collaboration with denominational publishers such as Chalice Press for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and others affiliated with mainline Protestant groups including the United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and United Church of Christ.^[2]^[29] Resources are made available via major Christian retailers like Cokesbury, Christianbook.com, and Amazon, as well as through general book distributors.^[30]^[31] Editions include standard print Bibles, thinline versions, study Bibles with notes, pew Bibles for church use, and specialized children's Bibles like Deep Blue Kids Bible, alongside digital formats for apps such as Olive Tree Bible Software.^[32]^[31] The translation, completed in 2011 for the New Testament and Apocrypha followed by the full Old Testament in 2012, emphasizes accessibility for broad readership rather than mass-market dominance.^[9] Specific sales or circulation figures for the CEB are not publicly reported in industry data, unlike leading translations. Reports from sources tracking Bible sales, such as Circana BookScan and the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, list top performers as NIV, ESV, NLT, CSB, and KJV, with no mention of the CEB among bestsellers in recent years.^[33] This positioning aligns with its focus on ecclesiastical and academic use within progressive-leaning denominations, rather than widespread evangelical or general consumer markets.^[29]

Usage in Religious and Academic Contexts

The Common English Bible (CEB) is employed in religious contexts primarily within mainline Protestant denominations associated with its sponsoring publishers, including the Presbyterian Church (USA via Westminster John Knox Press, the [United Methodist Church](/page/United_Methodist Church) via Abingdon Press, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ via Chalice Press. These groups incorporate the CEB into worship services, lectionary readings, and congregational Bible studies for its emphasis on idiomatic English that enhances comprehension among diverse audiences, including younger members and non-native speakers. Certain editions featuring the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical books align with liturgical needs in Anglican and Episcopal settings, facilitating inclusive use across ecumenical gatherings.^[10]^[1] In seminary and theological education, the CEB serves as a teaching tool in select institutions; Fuller Theological Seminary, for example, adopted it in 2011 as the standard translation for classroom use, citing its fresh rendering that bridges scholarly precision with everyday readability following the discontinuation of the TNIV. The CEB Study Bible edition, equipped with contributions from over 60 scholars across 20 denominations, provides exegetical notes, historical context, and thematic articles, making it suitable for introductory theological training and lay leadership development.^[19]^[34] While the CEB supports devotional and pedagogical applications, its dynamic translation philosophy limits its prominence in advanced academic research, where scholars prioritize versions closer to literal renderings or original-language texts for textual criticism and philological analysis. Nonetheless, its widespread digital availability through platforms like Bible Gateway aids comparative studies in religious education programs.^[35]

Broader Influence

The Common English Bible (CEB), through its collaborative translation process involving over 120 scholars from 22 faith traditions, has promoted ecumenical unity by providing a shared, accessible English rendering of Scripture suitable for interdenominational use.^[36] This effort, completed in 2011, emphasized dynamic equivalence to convey meaning in contemporary idiom, influencing how diverse Christian groups approach shared biblical texts without favoring denominational biases.^[37] In educational contexts, the CEB has seen adoption in seminaries and academic programs, such as its replacement of the TNIV at Fuller Theological Seminary in 2011, where it supports classroom instruction and study due to its clarity at a seventh-grade reading level.^[19] The CEB Study Bible, featuring contributions from hundreds of scholars, has been integrated into college and seminary curricula for its annotated approach to historical and literary analysis.^[38] Specialized editions, like the CEB Student Bible edited for youth engagement, extend this to younger learners in church-affiliated schools and personal education, with features tailored for relevance in modern settings.^[39] Digitally, the CEB's availability on platforms such as Bible.com, BibleGateway, and mobile apps has facilitated broader dissemination beyond print, with over 5 million downloads reported for app-integrated versions by 2023, enabling remote study and integration into devotional tools.^[35]^[9] Its inclusion in software like Olive Tree Bible App supports multimedia study aids, contributing to increased Scripture engagement in non-traditional formats.^[40] A Catholic Edition, released in 2012 with deuterocanonical books, has further expanded its utility across confessional lines.^[41]

References

[1]
What is the Common English Bible (CEB)? | GotQuestions.org
Jan 4, 2022 · The Common English Bible is a new Bible translation, not a revision or update of an existing translation. Work on the CEB began in late 2008 and was completed ...Missing: features | Show results with:features<|separator|>
[2]
Explore - Common English Bible
A bold new translation designed to meet the needs of Christians as they work to build a strong and meaningful relationship with God through Jesus Christ.Missing: features | Show results with:features
[3]
Review: The Common English Bible - Authentic Light
Sep 6, 2010 · The Common English Bible is translated at a reading level (about 7th grade) that aims it directly at the vast majority of English speakers.Missing: features | Show results with:features
[4]
The Strengths and Weaknesses of the Common English Bible
Jun 6, 2017 · The Common English Bible is an English translation of the Bible that was first published in 2011. It is a blend translation that aims to find a ...
[5]
Complete Guide to Bible Versions: Comparison, History, and ...
Feb 21, 2025 · CEB (Common English Bible). Summary: A dynamic yet balanced translation that strives for natural language and broad accessibility to speakers ...
[6]
Common English Bible
The Common English Bible stands apart. The CEB has become my Bible of choice. I carry it with me to hospitals and on visits. I use it for personal study.Free Downloads · Bibles · Explore · Permissions
[7]
Concerns about the CEB translation - Enough Light - WordPress.com
Jan 12, 2023 · Other versions use the word “worship” while CEB changed it to “honor.” There is a difference between honoring someone and worshiping them. I ...Missing: controversies criticisms
[8]
Against the Theory of Dynamic Equivalence - Bible Research
The opposite tendency of modern “dynamic equivalence” versions is seen in the following rendering from the Common English Bible: From Paul, a slave of ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[9]
Common English Bible (CEB) - Version Information - BibleGateway ...
The Common English Bible is a distinct new imprint and brand for Bibles and reference products about the Bible. Publishing and marketing offices are located in ...
[10]
[PDF] about the CEB - Common English Bible
The King James Version of the Bible was published in 1611. For two centuries the KJV competed for readership with the Geneva Bible.Missing: features | Show results with:features
[11]
CEB Common English Bible New Testament, Softcover - Amazon.com
Book details ; Print length. 456 pages ; Language. English ; Publisher. Common English Bible ; Publication date. October 1, 2010 ; Dimensions. 5.25 x 1 x 8.25 inches.
[12]
Our Scholars - Common English Bible
Common English Bible Translators · Efrain Agosto · Bill Arnold · David Bauer · Carol M. Bechtel · Adele Berlin · Bruce C. Birch · Michael Bird · Gregory Bloomquist.Missing: composition | Show results with:composition
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Nestle-Aland 27th Edition Greek New Testament (Morphological ...
Rating 4.3 (8) · 30-day returnsFeb 11, 2022 · This is the Greek text most widely used today. It is the basis for nearly every modern Bible translation in the past one hundred years.
[14]
Common English Bible (CEB) - Laridian
30-day returnsThe CEB is a new translation for Christians, includes deuterocanonical books, is accessible, and created by a diverse team of scholars.Missing: source | Show results with:source
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The CEB Study Bible with Apocrypha Hardcover
The CEB Study Bible includes the Apocrypha, book introductions, notes, articles, full-color images, maps, and the Common English Bible translation.Missing: source | Show results with:source
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Common English Bible (CEB) - Bible History
The Common English Bible (CEB) is a contemporary English translation of the Bible that aims to be accessible to a wide range of readers. It was completed in ...Missing: initiation development
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Plain-talk Bible debuts with mainstream backing
Nov 1, 2011 · The Common English Bible, the newest Bible on the block, is what the name suggests—a translation into commonly spoken English.
[18]
Thoughts on the Common English Bible? : r/AcademicBiblical - Reddit
Jun 1, 2025 · Faith-based comments, discussion of modern religion, and apologetics are prohibited.What do you think of this new Common English Bible? : r/ChristianityWhat's your preferred English translation or the Bible and why?More results from www.reddit.comMissing: controversies | Show results with:controversies
[19]
Common English Bible Replaces TNIV at Seminary - Christian Post
May 10, 2011 · "It's something fresh," said Lewis. As with any new Bible translation, the Common English Bible has its fair share of criticism.
[20]
The Common English Bible: My Review - Zwinglius Redivivus
Jun 28, 2011 · So goes the translation of 1 Chr 21:1 in the Common English Bible, a translation neither wooden nor staid but lively and vivid. Its translators ...Missing: positive reception
[21]
Review: The CEB Study Bible - Bite-Sized Exegesis
Jun 14, 2017 · The visual design of The CEB Study Bible is simple, pleasing, and easy to read. Cross references are in the outside margin and commentary is ...
[22]
CEB Common English Bible by Anonymous - Goodreads
Rating 4.5 (415) 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 ...
[23]
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Revisiting the CEB Translation - The Puritan Board
Jan 14, 2012 · The Common English Bible with its 24 faith traditions, 120 translators, 10 editors, and 77 reading group leaders.
[25]
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The following examples show how the Common English Bible compares to other widely used translations. Genesis 1:1-2. Common English Bible (CEB). When God began ...
[26]
Common English Bible | The Puritan Board
May 6, 2011 · One thing I am certain about: this is NOT a viable candidate for a truly common English translation. It is idiosyncratic, extremely unique in ...Missing: reception | Show results with:reception
[27]
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Jul 15, 2025 · Discover 2025's best selling Bible translation: NIV leads with 22% US sales growth. Compare top versions like ESV and KJV for study, ...
[28]
John 17:6-19 – Comparing dynamic translations: NLT vs CEB
May 16, 2015 · In this first round of dynamic-equivalent translations, the Common English Bible takes the win over the New Living Translation.
[29]
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[30]
Help - Common English Bible
The Common English Bible is a distinct publishing entity that produces Bibles and reference works for the Bible.Missing: website | Show results with:website
[31]
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Bestselling Bible Translations at the End of 2022 - Church Answers
Jan 2, 2023 · Though we don't have market share data, we anecdotally surmise that the NIV is losing market share to the next three translations (ESV, NLT, CSB) ...
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Download Common English Bible | CEB Bible | 100% Free
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[36]
What is the Common English Bible (CEB)?
The development of the CEB began in 2008, initiated by a diverse group affiliated with multiple church traditions. More than one hundred biblical scholars, ...
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The CEB: Accessibility, Collaboration, and Controversy
Aug 28, 2025 · The CEB's philosophy is best described as dynamic equivalence leaning toward idiomatic English. Its translators intentionally avoided church ...
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A word about the Common English Bible - Warren C. Robertson, 2016
They do so through an intentional combination of word-for-word and thought-for-thought methods of translation, with a theologically and socially diverse ...Missing: reception | Show results with:reception<|control11|><|separator|>
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The CEB Student Bible
Common English Bible · Marketing Pages · The CEB Student Bible · The CEB Student Bible · About the Editor: · The CEB Student Bible Paperback · The CEB Student Bible ...
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CEB Study Bible now available on Olive Tree Bible Software and App
Jun 14, 2022 · The Common English Bible Translation: An Invitation to Engage with Scripture with Your Heart and Mind. Readable: It means more than reading ...
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https://www.cokesbury.com/9781609261306-CEB-Common-English-Bible-Catholic-Edition-eBook-ePub