Berean Study Bible

The Berean Study Bible is:

A three-tiered study Bible to connect you from a smooth and accurate translation through to the root of the Greek and Hebrew meanings.

This ambitious project is announced for New Testament completion in December, 2014 and the Old Testament in December, 2015. I say it is an ambitious project because it consists of three translations:

• BSB Reader's Edition - A completely new, accurate and smooth translation from the Greek and Hebrew texts, effective for public reading, memorization, and evangelism.
• BSB Discovery Edition - A literal yet readable translation that takes the reader to the core of the Greek and Hebrew meanings.
• BSB Interlinear Edition - An interlinear Bible that incorporates the original Greek and Hebrew texts.

Other than a very large print announcement, not much other information is available at the website.


Thanks to JH and the Bible Versions Discussions/Dialogue group for this one.

New Living Translation updated in 2013

Again, the Bible Versions Discussions/Dialogue group is my source for new announcements. It sounds like this announcement first showed up on the New Leaven blog. In 2013, Tyndale made around 500 changes to the New Living Translation text. A list of the changes is available in a PDF. You will find a link for the PDF in the comments to the New Leaven blog entry. As an example, John 3:16 was changed from this (2007 text):

For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

to this in the 2013 edition:

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

A footnote offers the alternate reading: "Or For God loved the world so much that he gave."

1873 Scrivener KJV Text

Recently, in the Bible Versions/Discussion Group, a post mentioned that Hendrickson King James Bibles use the 1873 Scrivener text (thanks, ZM). You can read the preface of a pew Bible for more information. This is the text that was first published as the Cambridge Paragraph Bible in 1873. It is #7085.150 in the Encyclopedia of English Language Bible Versions.

The Pioneer's New Testament

The Pioneer's New Testament by Ruth P. Martin was updated last year. Visit the website to get your updated PDF.

The Holy Bible in its Original Order (Bob Barney)

No, this isn't the work of the same title by Fred Coulter. This one is by Bob Barney, who runs the Plain Truth website. I first wrote about it back in 2012. It appears that it came out as a Kindle book last year. That is the only format I have been able to find. The full title on Amazon is "The Holy Bible - In Its Original Order - God's Words in RED." The advertisement on Amazon states:

The most unique Bible you have ever read. First, the Old Testament is divided into the correct order as Jesus read (yes modern Bibles are not arranged in the right order, or have the correct amount of books). Next, this Bible has every word of God in RED in both the Old Testament and New! The author's own translation trying to marry easier to understand English with the style of the King James.

Expositor's Study Bible

I recently received notice about this new version from Joshua Holman (thank you!). It is found in the Expositor's Study Bible by Jimmy Swaggart. It is a modification of the King James (or Authorised) version. In a section titled "seven reasons why the Expositor's Study Bible will help your understanding of the Word of God" it states:

The King James Version is used, with the exception of Elizabethan words, such as "ye," "hast,"thy," etc., in some cases, changed to words presently used, making the Text much easier to understand.

Also, comments are included in the text as parenthetical insertions. Bible text is in black, comments are in red:

In the beginning (refers to the beginning of creation, or at least the creation as it refers to this universe: God, unformed, unmade, uncreated, had no beginning: He always was, always is, and always shall be)...

Jonathan Mitchell's New Testament Translation

Jonathan Mitchell's New Testament Translation was first available in 2006. He recently updated his work which is available in PDF for free or for the Kindle or Nook for purchase. Some of the features of this translation (from his website):

• Multiple possible translations of the Greek text are presented.
• Contrasting readings from other New Testament manuscripts are presented.
• Expanded renderings of the Greek verb tenses are presented.
• Optional functions of noun and adjective cases are presented.

For more information visit Jonathan's Mitchell's New Testament Translation

Waterproof Bibles

Back in 2011 I mentioned that I found a Waterproof Bible at a book store. I was looking into these again and thought I would update on other interesting products from Bardin Marsee Publishing. Back then I found NIV(1984), KJV, NLT and ESV. They now offer NIV (2011), NKJV and Reina Valera 1960 Bibles. They also have weatherproof, stain resistant synthetic leather covers for the full size Bibles. Covers for their New Testaments are available on a custom basis. Space pens and dry highlighters offer the ability to write in and highlight your Bible in any weather. Waterproof journals, spiral notebooks and sketchbooks round out the new items. One of the reasons I took another look at these is due to a review I read at the Bible Buying Guide. Many of these items are available on Amazon and Christianbook.com.

I should mention that I have tried running water over this Bible. The publisher's claims are accurate. Here's the "About this Bible" section from the copyright page:

The Waterproof Bible is printed on 100% plastic. This material is both waterproof and tear-resistant with normal use. This material is adversely affected by temperatures above 150 F. If this product freezes while wet, thaw before opening. This durable format can be dried with a towel or by standing on the spine with the pages up. Water will cause the pages to adhere to one another, but once dry, they will return to their original condition. Petroleum products can cause the ink of this product to smear, so keep it away from all such products, including bug spray.

I've seen this recommended for missionaries. It would indeed be a good Bible for such use. However, bug spray (especially that with high concentrations of DEET) should be kept away from the pages. If you get the spray on your hands, you could damage the Bible when reading.

The Gospel of John Cowboy Style

The Gospel of John Cowboy Style is the work of Mel Hooten. It is described as a "Paraphrase of the Gospel in Cowboy Language." More specifically, it is in the "straight-talking dialect of the Texas Panhandle's traditional cowboys." The Amazon page gives this sample:

Ya see, God loves this world so much, that He gave His one and only Son to die, so that every man, woman, boy, and girl who believes in Him will not die, but will be a-livin' forever" (John 3:16).

Thanks to the Bible Versions Discussions/Dialogue group on Facebook, especially JH for this version notice.

Simplified Cowboy Version

This version is another one that comes courtesy of the people at the Bible Versions Discussions/Dialogue group on Facebook. The Simplified Cowboy Version is the work of Jake Hershey (Author), Kelli Sullenger (Editor) and Kevin Weatherby (Contributor). The description on Amazon states:

"This paraphrase is not a Bible, but the hope and prayer is that a person might come to know Christ better and open a real Bible and get to know Him."

So far, Proverbs, Matthew and Romans have been completed. Genesis 1 is available on the website of the Campfire Cowboy Ministries:

The outfit, which the Boss elected to call heavens and earth, hadn’t been surveyed, staked, nor fenced yet, and was kinda empty, and darkness covered all the tanks, springs, creeks, rivers and lakes. And the Spirit of the Boss was hovering over the surface of those waters.

Campfire Cowboy Ministries also has a Facebook Page.

Thanks to DJ for notice of this version

Versery Rhymes

I just received notice from Dr. Reece Sherman that he has finished his rhyming paraphrase of the New Testament (first mentioned on this blog October 4, 2008). His work, Versery Rhymnes, is in several volumes. To see a sample or for ordering information, visit his website. The website states:

If you read the Bible
And you are perplexed
Try VerseryRhymes
You'll see I rhymed the text