The 4 Best CEV Bibles (Contemporary English Version) for 2024

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The editors at Lord’s Library evaluate the best CEV Bibles (Contemporary English Version) based on popularity, ratings, and value.

The Contemporary English Version is a meaning-for-meaning Bible created by the American Bible Society as a “Bible for Today’s Family.” The first complete CEV Bible was published in 1995. It has a history of being one of the easiest of the different Bible versions to read. With that reputation also comes the belief that it’s a “dumb-downed” version of the Bible that glosses over much of the impact of more traditional translations.

With this in mind, the editors at Lord’s Library assembled this list of the best CEV Bibles (Contemporary English Version) to consider. The one that is right for you will largely depend on your level of Bible study and the influence of your Christian church denomination. Each listing includes author and publisher information, some basic facts about the edition, and links to any alternative versions for effective comparison.

Note: We only included the best CEV Bibles (Contemporary English Version) with a 4-star or better ranking and a minimum of 75 reviews. We ranked them according to different buyer motivations like most popular, top-rated, and best value. We also included a Best of the Rest section with additional titles listed below.

The Gospel

The Best CEV Bibles (Contemporary English Version)


Most Popular: The Holy Bible: Old and New Testament

Author/Publisher: American Bible Society

Material: Audio

From the publisher: “A compilation of the Old and New Testament from the Unabridged Contemporary English Version Translation of the Holy Bible. This compilation also includes the Deuterocanonicals/Apocrypha in between the Old and New Testaments. Audiobook narrators include George Guidall, Suzanne Toren, Jonathan David, Peter Jay Fernandez, and more.”


Top-Rated: Seek Find: The Bible for All People (Contemporary English Version)

Author/Publisher: American Bible Society

Material: Hardcover

From the publisher: “Published by the American Bible Society, a translation of the Bible for contemporary readers combines historical and scholarly resources with modern, unambiguous language designed to be read aloud and easily understood. Simultaneous.”


Best Value: Extreme Faith Bible: Contemporary English Version

Author/Publisher: American Bible Society

Material: Paperback

From the publisher: “The Extreme Faith Bible is a Contemporary English Version (CEV) Bible that speaks directly to the core interests of Todays youth. A special introductory section gives them more than a traditional Bible as it explores many of the issues they’re facing on a daily basis. This low-cost CEV Youth Outreach Bible is a vital message and valued gift.”


The Gospel

The Best CEV Bibles – Best of the Rest


Holy Bible, Contemporary English Version

Author/Publisher: American Bible Society

Material: Paperback

From the publisher: “This NIV Giant Print Compact Bible features the easy-to-read exclusive Zondervan NIV Comfort Print typeface in a truly giant print size yet is perfectly proportioned in a handy compact size. It seamlessly provides ease of reading in a convenient size that you carry anywhere.  Expertly designed specifically to be used for the New International Version (NIV) text, Comfort Print offers an easier reading experience that complements the most widely read modern-English Bible translation.”


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Timothy Andrew

Timothy Andrew

Tim is the Founder of Lord's Library. He believes the Bible commands us to minister "as of the ability which God giveth" (1 Peter 4:11). Tim aspires to be as The Lord's mouth by "taking forth the precious from the vile" (Jeremiah 15:19) and witnessing The Gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15: 1-4) to the whole world.

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