Extreme Faith Bible: Contemporary English Version

I love reading this CEV version because it refreshes one's spiritual walk and give more insight.

I have a number of different versions of Bibles and when I started looking for a Bible for my 7 yr old who has a paperback NIV and has been reading from that since he was 4 yrs old, though he was able to read the NIV, it didn't always meant he understood what he was reading. So, I wanted to get him an inexpensive Bible that was close to the NIV's translation without deviating a lot like some other versions, where it would make memorizing Scripture a greater challenge. Anyway, with the Bible being under $5, I figured even if we didn't totally like it, it was not a huge waste to find out how we would do with this Bible.A review from a children's pastor convinced me to get this Bible and I and my kids are super happy with this it. In fact, we are reading through the whole Bible together, my kids and I, out loud and we have read through 183 days' worth of readings.This is NOT a study Bible. There are very few footnotes, the margins are small, so you have to write tiny, if you want to write in it. Unlike my NIV Applications Bible that only has 1 column per page with lots of study and footnotes and bigger margins, this CEV Extreme Faith Bible has 2 columns per page and is basically the reading of the Bible. Each book of the Bible begins with a summary of the book. At the back of the Bible are some maps, a read through the Bible in 1-yr schedule (we are following this at an accelerated rate), and a few other FYI or study things, but it's not many pages.I have the NKJV, KJV, NASB, NIV, NIrV, the Message, ECV translations and have compared them to the CEV. The CEV more closely resembles the NIV, but is less wordy. For example, in the books of the Law, like Numbers & Deuteronomy, it will list the names of the descendents but not repeatedly in the CEV as it does in the NIV. When you're reading this outloud, that makes a HUGE difference, as many of those names are hard to pronounce. There are many instances in which in the CEV it may use 15 words for the sentence where in the NIV it will use 22 words. Now, that may not be a huge difference, but multiply that over paragraph over paragraph through 66 books of the Bible. That's a lot of extra words.The CEV is understandable even for a 7-yr, but then, my 7-yr old is quite sharp already doing 5th grade math. It is enjoyable to read and there are times some of the way it's translated into more modern language makes it funny to read. I can't remember where, but it talks about something being like a toilet (using a metaphor) and it cracked my kids and I up.One of the things that I did notice of the CEV other than modern lanugage is some of the names of God. In the KJV, in 1 Chronicles 14:11, it uses the word Baalperazim, but the CEV says that God is the 'The Lord Broke Through'. The Hebrew meaning for Baalperizim is "The Lord of the Breakthrough". For me, reading that the Lord Broke Through is much more meaningful than Baalperazim, and for a 7 yr old or 10 yr old (my daughter), this is more descriptive. There are many other examples similar to this through what we've read.The schedule of reading through the Bible in the back of the Bible is awesome. It splits the reading into 3 different section for each day. One is about the first half of the OT, 2nd half of the OT and the NT. It does not go exactly in canonical order and does periodically do some skipping around. Psalm isn't read altogether but split up. Most of the books are read from start to finish, a little each day. Sometimes what is read in one section is reiterated in another section of the OT or NT. That just reinforces the point.We chose to read out of the CEV over the other translations because it was just easily read and easier to understand.Note that this Bible is a paperback, but the pages are sturdy as compared to my NIV applications Bible where the pages are almost thin like rice paper. The font is small, but that's not a problem for my kids and I. This is a no frills Bible, but for the under $5 price, it's easily well worth more.

I love the simplicity and clarity of the CEV and have purchased the Extreme Faith Bible for gifts, especially for Teens.The front of the Bible contains pages explaining the publisher's definition of extreme faith and gives examples of persons in the Bible who demonstrated extreme faith. There is an explanation of the Contemporary English translation.There are pages introducing the Old and New Testaments, and each Book, as well.At the back of the Bible are a mini Bible dictionary broken down into helpful sections such as the 12 tribes of Israel, Christ's 12 apostles, festivals/holy days, and much more. Maps, how to read the Bible, a one-year Bible reading plan, index to famous Old and New Testament stories, and index to passages on God's forgiveness.The paper the Bible is printed on is very "plain Jane" off white, but is very readable.We do foster care and an 11-year-old recently lamented that she wished for a Bible that wasn't just a "kids' Bible with only stories and pictures, but contained the full Bible text. She was very happy to receive this Bible.

Full of so much information , aids, easy for all to understand. I,d like 10 more, giving out to delivery people , etc. Thanks.

My son had asked me to find him a Bible he could understand. He actually found this at a local book store where he stopped in to look. He had this one and 2 others picked out. The lady there said there was a pastor that used this in his study. That sold him on this one...and it was way less than the others. He told her he would be back with the money but she wouldn't let him leave without the Bible. She gave it to him. After seeing his and loving it as it is so easy to understand I ordered me one from here. He showed it to his friends and I purchased his friend one that didn't have the money to spare. So the lady at the book store started something with her generosity. I did read and compare some verses from this book to the KJV. I agree with the other reviewer that the meaning is there. It is a lot more than just a Bible. Lots more information.

I am a children's pastor and have done studies verse by verse which compare this version to the NIV, and NKJ (which I had originally compared with King James). It is easier for young people and new Christians of any age to understand the Extreme Bible, without loosing the True interpretation of what the Bible is saying. It does vary "some" in the wording from NIV and NKJ. BUT NOT from the original meaning-which is the important point. This is NOT a paraphrase type version. Some people feel anything other then King James is not acceptable--BUT remember the KJ itself is also a translation from yet another language which had also been translated! I believe Gods Spoken and Written Word has still made it across most of the translations! In short I would highly recommend the Extreme Bible for Home reading and studies for any age alone or with your NIV, NKJ or standard KJ.

The media could not be loaded. This Bible is Contemporary English Version, in the text it breaks down what was said in the Bible in a more comprehending way. It has headings of the chapter. BUY IT. It also has a smooth feeling on the covering 👍

I ordered many and I received a discount!

I totally enjoy reading my bible now…the English is quite easy to understand at the same powerful as each word of God is powerful.

Bought for my grandson who is showing an interest in God! I had read previous reviews and on others recommendation I bought it. Think there are a lot of particularly good notes on reading the Bible and useful information on each book although some of the information I thought should have been at the beginning of the book and not the end. Excellent Bible, if I was involved in a Youth group it would make an excellent purchase for the group as such good value!

We sent for these bibles as a graduation gift for 5 young people graduating from childrens church up in to our youth group I feel they will be of great use to them the bibles are easy to read and have lot's of helpful hints in the back pages very good bible and at a good price would recommend to a friend.

A good first bible for my seven year old son. I like the design. I have used sticky back plastic to make the cover stronger as it is paperback.