The Common English Bible (CEB) was first published in 2011. It is a translation designed to read smoothly for a broad range of English readers, without compromising the accuracy of the Bible text. To do that, the CEB utilizes both formal and dynamic equivalence theories of translation.

The CEB was not only made up of a team of translators but also a band of reading specialists. They worked with dozens of reading groups from several denominations to ensure a natural reading experience.

The CEB is committed to the church universal. A diverse team with over one-hundred scholars from twenty-four Christian faith traditions worked on this translation. Their goal was to make the Bible accessible for a wide audience, from children to adults. The women and men who participated in the creation of the CEB hope that those who read and study it will find this translation to be accurate, clear, and inspiring.

Using Bob’s Five Bark Review System we take a candid look at the Common English Bible:

1. Trustworthy

The CEB originators took great pains to ensure topflight scholars from diverse Christian traditions were involved in the translation work. They began with a steadfast goal of speaking to people of various religious convictions and different social locations.

The CEB translation was funded by the Church Resources Development Corporation. This allowed for cooperation among denominational publishers in the development and distribution of the CEB. In addition, The Common English Bible Committee meets periodically and consists of denominational publishers from the following denominations: Disciples of Christ (Chalice Press); Presbyterian Church U.S.A. (Westminster John Knox Press); Episcopal Church (Church Publishing Inc); United Church of Christ (Pilgrim Press); and United Methodist Church (Abingdon Press).

To be honest, many conservative evangelical Christians will not be enthused with this translation (even though there are evangelicals on the translation team). The CEB made deliberate choices to avoid gender-specific language and be gender-inclusive. Also, some of the committee’s choices of translation may not align with some evangelicals. For example, the CEB consistently translates Christ’s self-reference of ὁ υἱὸς τοὺ ἀνθρώπου (“the Son of Man” in most Bible versions) as “the Human One.”

The trustworthy nature of the committee and editorial board’s work has been confirmed in the ten years since its first publication. The CEB has found wide endorsement and use by many Christians and denominations.

Frankly, Bob and I find the combination of gender-inclusive language, rigorous scholarship, and attention to reader reception to be rather refreshing.

Thus, Bob gives a clear “bark” to the trustworthiness of the Common English Bible.

2. Understandable

This is one of the CEB’s main goals. The committee wanted to have a translation for a wide readership. So, judge for yourself. Check out this rendering of the beloved Psalm 23:

The Lord is my shepherd.
I lack nothing.
He lets me rest in grassy meadows;
he leads me to restful waters;
he keeps me alive.
He guides me in proper paths
for the sake of his good name.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger because you are with me.
Your rod and your staff—
they protect me.

You set a table for me
right in front of my enemies.
You bathe my head in oil;
my cup is so full it spills over!
Yes, goodness and faithful love
will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the Lord’s house
as long as I live.

One of my favorite passages of the New Testament is Philippians 3:7-11. I always look at those verses when considering a new translation to read. Here it is in the CEB:

These things were my assets, but I wrote them off as a loss for the sake of Christ. But even beyond that, I consider everything a loss in comparison with the superior value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have lost everything for him, but what I lost I think of as sewer trash, so that I might gain Christ and be found in him. In Christ I have a righteousness that is not my own and that does not come from the Law but rather from the faithfulness of Christ. It is the righteousness of God that is based on faith. The righteousness that I have comes from knowing Christ, the power of his resurrection, and the participation in his sufferings. It includes being conformed to his death so that I may perhaps reach the goal of the resurrection of the dead.

I personally recommend the CEB to a lot of people for its clear understanding and ease of reading.

Therefore, Bob gives a deepthroated “bark” for the understandable nature of the Common English Bible.

3. Readable

Now we get into some of the physical elements of the Bible. In Bob’s system, readability has to do with the actual paper the biblical text is on, and the font and size of the published words. After all, a Bible is meant to be read with ease. In this current age of digital Bibles with adjustable font sizes, there is no room for a physical Bible that takes straining to read.

I happen to own two CEB Bibles. One is a journaling Bible with wide margins. The other is a CEB Lectio Divina Prayer Bible. Since I’m on the other side of life’s hill and a wearer of bifocals, I would describe the ability to read those two Bibles as “adequate.” I need plenty of light to read them well.

So, if you typically find yourself needing larger font sizes for ease of reading, I recommend not going with the study or journaling Bibles. The CEB comes in versions with plain text as well as large print. There are also student editions available, but again, the font is smaller.

Since the CEB comes in various editions which allows for a wide readership, Bob gives the Common English Bible a “bark” for its readability.

4. Durable

When purchasing any Bible, you likely want it to last for a while. That means you will need to pay some attention to the physical spine of the book.

If you want a high-end Bible with a leather cover, then chances are the pages are hand-sewn to the spine. Inexpensive books will have the pages glued to the spine. Typically, you get what you pay for. If you plan on having a Bible which will last the rest of your life, go with genuine leather. If you simply want another version to occasionally read from, then go with the cheaper one.

Books are a lot like beds. Your purchase depends on how much use they are going to get.

I am satisfied with my two CEB Bibles. And, since the CEB is one of my favorite translations, I am eventually going to purchase a large print Bible which I can read every day.

Since the CEB comes with options of hardback, softcover, and leather, Bob utters a hearty “bark” for the Common English Bible’s durability.

5. Attractive

In all honesty, the Lectio Divina version I use isn’t attractive to me. But I like the Bible. So, I have a handsome Bible-cover on it.

With any Bible, if the contents of the book don’t look appealing on the physical page, then don’t buy it. Because you aren’t likely to keep reading a book that aesthetically looks drab or dull to you.

Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. Out of the five criteria which Bob and I evaluate, this one is the most subjective. So, go with what you want. Just be careful if you are looking to purchase a CEB Bible for someone else.

Bob’s subjective evaluation of the Common English Bible’s attractiveness is a “woof” (half-bark).

Well, there you have it. Based on Bob’s Five Bark Bible Review System we give the Common English Bible a well-earned 4½ barks.

The CEB is truly an uncommonly good translation in our judgment. Bob and I are confident it will give you hours of thought-provoking pleasure and deepen your spirituality.

Congratulations, Common English Bible! We hope you stay in publication for an exceedingly long time. Thanks for all your good work!