Customer Reviews

Holy Bible New American Standard: Red Letter Edition, Paragraphed

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a simple Bible. Because of this, I bring it to church. It lacks the study Bible attributes I enjoy in other editions, but, in church, I am not likely to spend the time required to utilize those features.

What I have it a sturdy paperback with a few footnotes to indicates translations variants, or to define an odd term or two. It is flexible, and can withstand (as mine has) being tossed into a briefcase or handbag without worry.

The margins are about the size of any novel, and so notes are difficult to write, but this its best use is as a second or third Bible, not for primary study. Its strength is its clean presentation and portability.

A basic, 62-page concordance is in the back, listing a few citations for key terms for easy lookup during Sunday school.

A section called "Biblical Backgrounds" surveys in a few paragraphs the function and history of all 66 books. This brief introduction says who is believed to have written, for example, I and II Chronicles (Ezra) and how it relates to other books (Samuel and Kings). Short and sweet, the reader will be able to get a quick look in the middle of a sermon and track better the context of the references.

The words of Jesus are in red. Others might find this distracting, but when I am ooking something up, knowing Jesus said something, but unable to remember the verse number, this helps.

The paper is of a decent width without making this book 100 pounds. Set in a Times New Roman or similar typeface, at what appears to be a 10 pt font, I find it easily readable.

It is a paragraphed Bible, meaning that contiguous ideas are connected using paragraphs, much in the same way we do in modern English, complete with indentation. This makes the reading more natural.

There are a few short introductions explaining the principles of translation (how Hebrew tenses were considered, for example), and an "Explanation of General Format," which succinctly presents the ways the publishers of this version managed Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic translation difficulties and what modern punctuation was employed that was unknown during the time of the Bible's writing.

A note on the translation:
The New American Standard translation claims to "adhere as closely as possible to the original languages of the Holy Scriptures, and to make the translation in a fluent and readable style accordingly to current English usage." There are paraphrased editions, like the New International Version (NIV) or New Living Translation that are both more reader friendly. In buying any translation, I suggest looking over samples of each to see which best fits your purposes. Ask your pastor which your church uses if reading along during the service is your goal.

A good way to make comparisons is to read the first few chapters of John from several translations. The differences will be obvious.

I fully recommend "Holy Bible New American Standard: Red Letter Edition, Paragraphed."

Anthony Trendl

I have used and looked at many, many versions of the Bible, but this one is the only one I like anymore. First, this is the version that the scholars say is the most accurate (Greek and Hebrew experts and scholars). Second, I find it to be the most readable one there is. I don't like the updated version--just the New American Standard. This one keeps the flavor of the King James with out the unreadability and is accurate to boot. It's readable, understandable and beautiful all at the same time. I don't like the way that people can change the words and meaning in the Bible (including the people who wrote it all through history, even for the King James version). I feel much more comfortable using a version that scholars in the ancient languages have arrived at as the most accurate, since I am unable to make that determination. I can're recommend this version highly enough!...

Holman did a great job on this NASB (1977). The paragraphing alone (by that I don't mean section titles, but, in the non-poetic books, putting the verses in the same paragraph into one paragraph, not starting every verse with a new line....) makes the text twice as readable when reading sequentially, rather than just looking up verses.

Compared to Foundation's paperback, ISBN 1885217722, you have the advantages such as these:

1) being the 1977 edition, it is closer to the original text, especially in its connectives, the "but ... because ..." words, and in the genders of the original Greek, e.g. Rm 2:6;

2) the Red Letter (a nice, dark-red ink), which is not a theological statement but helps you find familiar phrases;

3) Holman's paragraph titles. The paragraph titles are descriptive rather than analytical, and so while they also help you find passages they do not dictate what you find. They are also more frequent than Lockman's.

4) It stays open on practically any page, whereas Lockman's is too thin for that.

5) The Holman has 16 pp. of helps at the back plus concordance, while the Lockman only has a concordance.

Even my 17 year old son likes this one. I have one for my own use and he picked it up and after reading for awhile said to me "If I had a bible like this one I'd even read it". So I'm here looking for a new one just like it.

Personally I love this translation and was disappointed when somebody decided to update it because the Updated NASB, in my opinion, has lost something. I don't know what the Editing Board wanted to achieve by the update, apart from jumping on the bandwagon of using more contemporary language, but this translation uses Thee and Thou for the Godhead, which I can cope with, and it has the advantage of indicatiing when the text is referring to God. I have had some difficulty getting hold of this version, and I am pleased to have found it at last - albeit a used paperback.

This is a good Bible to be used as a reference and in combination with other ones to study certain topics like Sheol and Hell,God's name (YHWH). It very honest when it states that the account about The Rich Man and Lazarus is just another parable.

The New American Standard Bible is considered by many scholars to be the closest direct translation of the Bible from the original Hebrew and Greek. While perfect for legalists it is not as reader friendly as other translations. Still for the Bible scholar and serious Bible teacher/reader, the New American Standard Bible is a must have when you want to know exactly what the original text might have said.