Bible Versions Debate and Discussion

There is a well managed group on Facebook for the discussion of Bible Versions. It is called Bible Versions Debate and Discussion. Why not stop by and enter the conversations?

Classic Note Bible

I've seen Bibles with extra margins for note taking. I've also seen homemade Bibles with a blank page in between the pages for note taking. But this is the first Bible I've seen with pages already bound in for taking notes. The paper is standard Bible paper, so it is thin. But it looks a lot smaller than the homemade one I was planning. This is the King James Bible, genuine leather, made by Anchor Bible Concepts. Visit their website to take a look. Thanks to PS for this link.

Knox Translation online

The translation of the Bible by Ronald Arbuthnott Knox is online now at the New Advent website. Knox's Bible includes the apocryphal books. A print edition is available from Baronius Press.

Disciples of Yeshuwa' Mashiyach Translation

This version is the ongoing work of the "Disciples of Yeshuwa' Mashiyach." On their website they have translations from Genesis, Psalms, Isaiah, Matthew, Luke, Revelation and possibly others. The translations use "YEHVAH Elohiym" for "Lord God" and "Yeshuwa' Mawshiyach" for "Jesus Christ." Thanks to GK for this link!

Gospel of God in Christ

Today's entry was sent to me by the translator, Kevin Krall. His work is called the "Gospel of God in Christ." It is "A Synonymous Translation [of Paul's letters] in Effectively Enhanced English." Mr. Krall writes that some of the highlights are:

• Two Versions - Study Version & Reading Version
• All Significant In Christ Scriptures - Highlighted
• All Prayers Of Paul - Highlighted
• Synonyms & Iterations for Greek word to English word(s) Equivalency
• Key Word Glossary with Greek word and Strong's Number

He provides both a reading version and a study version. The study version has synonyms of key words in parentheses similar to the Amplified Bible. Not only has he translated the letters, but also takes advantage of web programming and social media to make an online presentation of his work. His website includes a full introduction, description of his translation method and much more, so visit The Gospel of God in Christ to learn more.

The Story

There are several works called "The Story." So here's another one! The website states that it is "All four Gospels ... woven together into One Chronological Color-Coded Story of the Greatest Life that was ever lived." It is being sold exclusively through Amazon. My Kindle is black and white, so the color coding won't work for me.

The Books of the Bible - Community Bible Experience

Today's new Bible comes courtesy of Biblica. It is a new Bible, but not a new version. The text is the New International Version (2011) with chapter and verse numbers removed. The books of the New Testament are arranged in historical order. You can get a free preview of the New Testament by visiting Biblica and giving them your e-mail address. You can also download mp3s of an audio presentation of the New Testament.

Cepher

First, I apologize for lack of posts this month. I have been sick for about six weeks. Thankfully, I am beginning to feel better.

Today's new find is courtesy of a good friend - Bill Chamberlin. He sent me this link for Cepher. That link is a good place to buy it (cheaper than the publisher's website). A coupon code for WND's website can be found here.

The publisher of this translation is Cepher Publishing Group, LLC. The following information is from their website:

As such, the Cepher:

• Sets forth a translation, rather than a substitution, of the names of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
• Includes the Aleph Tav over 1400 times, which have previously been omitted in every other English translation.
• Includes all of the 74 books previously canonized as the Bible.
• Includes the books of Chanok (Enoch) & Yovheliym (Jubilees) from the Dead Sea Scrolls, as well as Yashar (Jasher), 4 Ezra (Esdras), 2 Baruch, and 3 & 4 Makkabiym (Maccabees); all integrated with the translated Sacred Names.
• Transliterates over 3100 Hebrew names without substitution.
• Corrects the errors (for the first time) in the Song of Solomon, in Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 14, in Zakaryahu (Zechariah) 5, in Matthew 23, and corrects other notorious errors found in virtually all previous English translations.
• Includes the 29th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles.
• Restores an accurate order to the Sacred Scriptures and is well-marked with recognizable names to help you find your way.

I expected that the Aleph-Tav would be translated, but in the sample it is simply included in the original Hebrew. Genesis 2:7 has "YAHUAH ELOHIYM" for God's name. A full list of the names used for God can be found on page 18 of the sample. The sample can be viewed by clicking "look inside" on the product information page. That page shows that "YAHUSHA HAMASHIACH" is used for Jesus Christ's name and title.

Gutenberg English Translation?

I was looking at Octavo's Octavo Edition, Biblia Latina, The Gutenberg Bible, 1-891788-74-4 today. It has a cross linked English translation edited by David Sullivan. I don't know any more about it than that (unless I come up with the $80 USD plus shipping for a copy). This could constitute a new version...

The Adaptive Bible - Update

Last year, I posted about the Adaptive Bible which "explores an automatically derived translation of the Bible." Click on a chapter number and you will get a page of choices for most of the verses. Just recently, in a comment on a post in this blog, there was a link to notes for a talk by Stephen Smith titled "How to Train Your Franken-Bible." Given last year, it discusses the reality and dangers of "algorithmic Bible translations." The Adaptive Bible is an demonstration of just how those algorithmic Bible translations could be created. The process he used is much more sophisticated that a simple cut/paste one. Cut/paste Bibles have been appearing for some time now. I don't know if any have been produced using the process he describes (yet). But it is an excellent warning! Go read his talk notes and slides to learn more.

Clear Preferred Version

Another new version is in the works. It appears in the writings of Don Stanton on the Maranatha Revival Crusade website. It is called "a Clear, Preferred Version." You will have to sift through many writings to find his Scriptures. I found it the easiest to check the books page. His version is in MM#94 "LIFE & TEACHINGS OF Y’SHUA MESSIAH" and in MM#092b, the Psalms. However, the Psalms do not say "Clear Preferred Version." An introduction on the website states:

The intent of the CPV is to provide a clear version of the Scriptures in modern English, which is true to the original manuscripts, and the revealed, sacred Name of YHWH (the Almighty). It also prefers to use the original Hebrew form of our Saviour's Name - Y'SHUA the Messiah.

Restored Name King James Version

I found this Restored Name King James Version (#3) some time ago. I didn't list it anywhere as I thought it was the same as this Restored Name King James Version (#1). But a couple weeks ago I discovered that it has been modified. It is also different from this Restored Name King James Version (#2) since this one uses the Hebrew instead of "God" in Genesis 2:7. However, the preface in #1 and #2 are the same. It appears that #2 may be #1 with the Hebrew substituted where #1 uses "YHWH." I believe that #3 is actually a revision of The Sacred Name King James Bible since it has the same file structure and naming. Also, on the individual chapter pages, it still has the title "Sacred Name King James Version." In Genesis 2:6, however, #3 uses "YAH Elohim" instead of "YHVH ELOHIYM."

so here they are:

1. Restored Name King James Version - YHWH Elohim
2. Restored Name King James Version - hwhy Elohim, this version is possibly a revision of the above.
3. Restored Name King James Version - YAH Elohim, this version is a revision of the following:
4. The Sacred Name King James Bible - YHVH ELOHIYM

The ease with which copy/paste can be applied to freely available Bible files means those who study Bible versions face this kind of puzzle all the time. It is almost too easy to "publish" on the world wide web!