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Holy Bible, New Living Translation Deluxe Text Edition

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The much anticipated revision of the Living Bible (LB) was just recently released. The new revised Bible is being called the New Living Translation (NLT), advertised as the "publishing event of the decade." Many who have read and used the LB for personal Bible study loved its simple and easy-to-read language. However, the LB, while praised by many, both scholar and laymen alike, for its easy-to- understand prose, had to be checked against and compared with other more stricter or literal versions. The LB was noted for containing errros in certain texts. Kenneth Taylor had used the ASV to produce the highly readable LB. It is not a literal translation, based on the original Hebrew and Greek Scriptures, but a paraphrase of the Scriptures and it tended to reflect some of the views of the paraphraser and not necessarily what the original writings said.

The LB has become a successful and popular Bible version, with some 40 million copies printed by 1996. In order to produce a more accurate translation, based on the original Hebrew and Greek Scriptures, a group of some 90 Bible scholars got together in 1989 to work on a revision of the LB. Their goal was to create a Bible translation that is accurate and yet reads like the LB, a paraphrase of the Bible. Did they achieve their goals? A comparison of the LB and the NLT will answer that question.

The Tetragrammaton :

One major difference between the LB and the NLT is the complete removal of the divine name from the NLT. The NLT says in its Introduction that it was decided to render the Tetragrammaton as "the LORD", following a custom that is practiced by most modern English versions of the Bible. The LB, in contrast, used the divine name, rendered as Jehovah, many times throughout the OT. The NLT, only contains the name in two footnotes in Exodus 3:16 and Exodus 6:3. The footnote reads "Hebrew Yahweh; traditionally rendered Jehovah." The name YHWH, translated in English as Yahweh or Jehovah, appears over 6,000 times in the original Hebrew Bible. However, the translators of the NLT decided to follow the custom of completely removing the Name from the Bible substituting it with the title "LORD", and confining the Name, which appeared over 6,000 times in the Hebrew text, to mere footnotes in Exodus 3:15 and Exodus 6:3. When it comes to the test of accuracy, this translation has failed by replacing YHWH (JHVH in latinized form) with a title instead of the name Yahweh or Jehovah. In that regards, the LB is more accurate than the NLT.

Interpretative Verses and Footnotes Removed: The LB has been criticized for containing interpretative verses and footnotes for selected Bible texts. For instance, the LB paraphrases Psalms 115:17 as follows: "The dead cannot sing praises to Jehovah here on earth." A footnote to the text mentions that "here on earth" is implied. However a check with more literal translations gives a different view.

The NLT gives a more accurate rendering. There it reads "The dead cannot sing praises to the LORD, for they have gone into the silence of the grave." Regarding Ecclesiastes 9:5 which reads according to the LB "For the living at least know that they will die! But the dead know nothing; they don't even have their memories." A footnote regarding that verse and verse 10 says: "These statements are Solomon's discouraged opinion, and do not reflect a knowledge of God's truth on these points!" The NLT translates Eccleciastes 9:5 as follows: "The living at least know they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, nor are they remembered." (NLT). The revised version does not contain any footnote on that text. In Matthew 22:32, the LB reads "I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. So God is not the God of the dead but of the living." In a foonote Kenneth Taylor interprets that verse as if Abraham, Isaac and Moses were now alive in the presence of God. However, many hold a diffrent interpretation. Since the context is dealing with the issue of the resurrection, some hold that Jesus is emphasizing that they will certainly become alive again in the new age (compare parallel account in Luke 20:27-38 with a strict version ). The assurance that they will be alive again, explains why Jesus speaks of it as an actual event. (compare Romans 4:17). The NLT does not contain an interpretative footnote on Matthew 22:32, allowing the readers to interpret the Scriptures for themselves, and coming to a conclusion that is in harmony with the rest of the Scriptures.

Some other interpretative verses of the LB include texts such as Psalms 9:17 - "The wicked shall be sent away to hell." There the NLT reads "The wicked will go down to the grave," with a footnote stating that the Hebrew word translated grave is Sheol. The LB says in Proverbs 9:18 "But they don't realize that her former guests are now citizens of hell."; there the NLT says "But the men don't realize that heer former guests are now in the grave." The LB paraphrases the last part of 1 Peter 3:18 regarding Jesus as "though his body died, his spirit lived on." The NLT paraphrases "more literally" as: "He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit, " with a footnote indicating that "Spirit" can be rendered with a lower case as "spirit."

Its Language - Definately LB-Like As can be seen from the few samples just cited, the NLT has corrected some of the inaccuracies of the LB. It has also removed most, if not all, of the interpretative footnotes. However, it has retained the much loved easy-to-understand language of the LB. Let's read just one sample of this fast-paced, easy-to-understand version:

Isaiah 65:17-25 "Look! I am creating new heavens, and a new earth-so wonderful that no will even think about the old ones anymore. Be glad; rejoice forever in my creation! And look! I will create Jerusalem as a place of happiness. Her people will be a source of joy. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and delight in my people. And the sound of weeping and cyring will be heard no more. No longer will babies die when only a few days old. No longer will adult die before they have lived a full life. No longer will people be considered old at one hundred! Only sinners will die that young! In those days people will build houses and eat of the fruit of their own vineyards.. ...." Actually, one can just open the NLT in any page and find the Word of God beautifully expressed.

Conclusion: Its Improved in Some Respects The NLT is more reliable than the LB; it contains no interpretative footnotes like the LB; however, since NLT is still a paraphrase, some verses seem to reflect the translator(s) viewpoint (See for example Matthew 7:12 in both the LB and the NLT: both speak of the way to "hell", but in the original Greek, as noted in their footnotes, the word should read "destruction". Also, in the NLT, Romans 8:18-25, in particular verse 23, is apparently interpretative. ) The NLT, nevertheless, has fewer interpretative verses; and the translators to some extent have achieved their goal-maintaining the prose as simple as the LB and remaining as faithful as possible to the original Word of God. The major flaw, I believe, was the removal of a rendering of the Tetragrammaton as either Yahweh or Jehovah. If the name was retained it could have been a version with a very high standard of accuracy and faithfullness to the original text. Since there is no such thing as a perfect Bible version, the NLT can still be compare with other versions, especially the literal ones like the ASV or Darby's version.

First, to set the record straight: This is a review of the New Living Translation (NLT) Bible, Personal Edition, Black Bonded Leather, ISBN: 0842354484 . Some of the reviews for different Bible products have been lumped together and somehow caused confusion.

This Bible is nearly perfect in terms of "packaging": compact, light, beautiful, and yet the typeface is amazingly readable. It is not much bigger than the palm of your hand, but its print/font is clear and easy on your eyes by any standard, complimented with adequate line spacing. It is even much more readable than most of the regular-sized Bibles that I own by other publishers.

Not everyone I've shown this Bible to is a fan of the New Living Translation, but they all love this Bible for the above stated reasons. It is a beauty inside and out AND it is practical and useful - now that combination is a rarity.

Now, unto the translation itself: I have studied most of the major translations available (NIV, NASB, KJV, NKJV, NRSV, ESV, NLT, and HCSB) and found that each translation has its strengths and weaknesses. Personally, I love the NLT translation and for now use it as a supplement to my study of the other versions. I find its writing style beautiful and the rendition inspirational ,even though the language is thoroughly contemporary. If I can someday find enough reasons to use it as my primary Bible, I will do so.

I would say that, if you are looking for an NLT Bible or an addition to your existing collections, and you don't "need" cross-references or study notes, then this Personal Edition in Black Bonded Leather is "absolutely" a keeper, whether you intend to use it for long study at home/work (and therefore desire comfortable print) or for occasional reading on the road (and therefore desire portability).

As for which translation is most "suitable" for you, you'll have to do some research and ultimately seek wisdom from God to reach the right answer.

By the way, I would really LOVE to see the other publishers come up with something comparable: a Bible that is compact, beautiful, durable, and yet has "clearly" and "comfortably" readable print/typeface. I myself am eager to own something similar in other translations. If Tyndale can do this with NLT, I really don't see why Zondervan, World, and Nelson (just to name a few) can't do the same with, say, NIV, NASB, and NKJV.

I bought this bible as I was looking for a resource to bring me closer to God. For me it is simpler to read and understand. I am just beginning my walk with God and His word is so very important. The living translation is fantastic. I would recommend it those who are seeking the word of God. I value mine greatly!!

I have numerous translations of the Bible, but the New Living Translation is unsurpassed for ease of reading, accuracy and beauty of language. The best choice, both for new believers and those who have read "The Book of Books" for many years. You'll love it! Even difficult passages become clear and easy to understand.

I really love the NLT for reading and comparison with other translations when studying. There is a wonderful flow to the Biblical narratives that I have not found in any other translation except perhaps the REB. I use the NLT nearly everyday. The only thing I do not like about it is that it uses a red letter text in the NT. I find, now and then, that this makes the reading of the text a little more difficult under certain forms of artificial light. I much prefer black letter for that reason-I find red letter an intrusion into the text anyway, but that puts me in the minority! If you are familiar or very unfamiliar with the Bible use this version. It is great and you will not regret it. It is being revised and will continue to gain many readers over the next ten years.

I have been a born-again Christian for over 30 years. I have tried for all of these years to read the King James version and the Living Bible. Neither one was able to break the scriptures down into a language I could truly understand. Now I can! I can finally understand God's word, His wonderful message! Not only do I find this translation understandable but also fasinating! I can barely put it down. I am amazed at how much of the New Testament I have read in such a short time. This version holds my attention and keep me yearning for more.

So much of what I have heard in sermons and been taught in Sunday School over the years finally come together for me.

I am very careful when someone talks about what God has to say. Too many put their own twist on the Word to suit their purpose instead of using the Word as it is intended. I have cross checked The New Living Translation with the King James version and I find the NLT to be very accurate. So does my Pastor!

This version will fire you up for Jesus! Imagine Gods pleasure that in this day and age we can understand His will on our own. No other interpretation is needed.

This is a "must have" for all Believers in Christ.

I started reading the New Living Translation while working through an upper level course on Greek exegesis. I was simply looking for a version that emphasized a sentence-by-sentence translation as opposed to a word-for-word translation (because I was required to do this type of translating for my assignments). I was pleasantly surprised with the NLT. It is a very impressive work, and makes for very smooth reading. The translation team also made the wise decision to translate the dates in the text into their modern equivalents. So, whereas previous translations might read that a certain event happened in, say, the twelfth year of a certain king, the NLT will (based on historical data) read that it happened in "586 BC" or "on April 22nd, 722 BC" They have also done the same thing with other forms of measurement (including currency, weight, and time). This makes the events seem much easier to relate to.
For these reasons (and others too) I think this is a really good version. So, if you are looking for a translation that focuses more on the overall meaning of each sentence, and not just the meaning of each word, I heartily recommend this one.

This translation helped renew the heart of a seminarian who had studied to much for her own good. When I approached this translation with a heart that was growing cold, its accuracy, poetry, and readability were just what the doctor ordered. This translation is meant to be read out loud...works wonderfully for public scripture reading and is excellent for private study. Best Bible for youth out there, hands down.

The first Bible I read was the King James. In 1965 my mother gave me a copy of Living Letters [the first instalment of The Living Bible]. It opened up the Letters of Paul to me. Despite its Arminian bias, I was confronted with God's sovereignty when I got to Romans 9.

At the same time I read Norman Vincent Peale's The Power of Positive Thinking. I found Paul appealing, and Peale appalling!

The New Living Translation is a huge improvement of Ken Taylor's original, because it has been revised by bona fide Bible scholars,such as Don Carson, Craig Blomberg and Willem vanGemeren, some of whom also worked on versions such as the NIV, ESV, etc.

The NLT is reliable and very readable. If you are serious about bible study you will also use versions such as the NIV and NRSV and ESV, because it is beneficial to use a variety of bible versions.

If you are able, studying Greek, Hebrew and Aramiac is the best way to get close to the original bible.

I recommend the NLT as a great place to start your reading of the bible, and a terrific version to use to read large chunks quickly.

The Word of God is to be consumed by His people and this translation satisfies the hungry 'child' in me. I grew up reading the "The Living Bible" but as the the need for a more precise study Bible presented itself, I left behind my 'childhood' friend in favour of more 'accurate transliterations'. To their credit, they served me well, however when attempting to relate intricate truths to others, I found myself sounding pious and scholarly...not a coat I wear comfortably. What a complete joy, then to read the sheer simplicity of His loving missive to me and still know that academics have not been forsaken. This will be the Bible I grow old with...