B I B L E 2 . 0: A Modern Translation for Generation Z and Alpha

Today's new version (thank you, BB) is BIBLE 2.0: A Modern Translation for Generation Z and Alpa. It is the work of William McNarland. It is availabe on Amazon (Canada). The description from Amazon:

The Old and New Testament got a major upgrade for Gen Z and Gen A, thanks to William McNarland. He saw that his kids, nieces, nephews, and their generation struggled with the Bible because it felt like reading ancient hieroglyphics. So, he decided to modernize it, just like how they used to translate it from Hebrew or Greek to English back in the day. This version includes all 66 Bible books and is perfect for folks who usually go for translations like New International Version, New Living Version, English Standard Version, Berean Study Bible, New American Standard Bible, or even the classic King James Version. William's hope is that this revamped Bible will attract new readers who used to steer clear of it because it felt like decoding a secret language. About the Translator: William hails from Cochrane, Alberta, Canada. He's got a background in being a Chartered Financial Analyst and is currently working on his Masters in Psychology, Consciousness, and Spirituality.

Open English Translation

Today's new version comes directly from the translator currently working this new work. It is the Open English Translation. The translator is currently seeking others to help bring this work to fruition. He wrote to me:

I'm needing lots of help and who knows who your blog might reach? As well as the obvious (translators, checkers, programmers) I'm also after someone to write both brief and extensive book introductions, as well as specialist footnote/study-note writers (e.g., a series of footnotes aimed at Muslim readers, or Hindu readers, or a set on Text Criticism or Calvinism (for/against), etc., etc.) Everything submitted will be openly available for all future generations to freely take advantage of.

Please visit the website (openenglishtranslation.bible) if you are interested in joining this project. From the website, distinctives of this work:

• a Readers’ Version and a very Literal Version side-by-side
• not bound by church jargon, unnecessary tradition, and following the crowd, in an attempt to communicate well to non-churched readers, yet to provoke and stimulate seasoned Bible readers
• a commitment to accuracy and high-quality, and to wrestle with the text to try to determine the likely intent of the various biblical writers
• following modern trends in our societies of showing more respect to other language groups by doing the same with the names of the Biblical characters
• designed from the beginning to connect with other resources including links to the original manuscripts
• not a commercial product like most English Bibles—freely available to use, copy, print, adapt, or retranslate—no need to ask for permission

The Faith Translation

Another new version for you: The Faith Translation. It is available as an app for free on Google Play and the Apple App Store. Print copies are available as well (links on the website). The website states the mission is:

The Faith Translation’s mission is to translate the scriptures, by expounding upon and emphasizing the faith of Jesus Christ that is contained in all the scripture. And to distribute this translation free of charge to as many in the world as possible.

Thanks to BB for emailing me about this version!

The Best News Ever

This new version is called The Best News Ever. It is intended for children. Some samples with version comparisons are on the website. Thanks to AH for emailing me about this version!

Millenial Truth Fusion Version

Today's new find (thank you again, BB!) is the Millenial Truth Fusion Version by John ben Wilhelm. From the Amazon description:

The 'Millennial Truth Fusion Version' is a new Bible version based on analyzing and comparing forty five English Bible versions and translations. It is rendered in easy to follow dynamic equivalence, paraphrase form. Among many revolutionary features are 1.) The order of the books is according to best known chronological order in which they were written. This allows the reader additional insight into what was currently going on in the mind of inspired writers at the time they wrote. 2.) MTFV separates trains of thought, clarifying run-together verses found in most bibles. 3.) MTFV restores the original form of GOD’s name in the places where it existed, differentiating the meanings between god, gods, God, Gods, and GOD, also, between master, masters, Master and lord, lords, Lord, Lords, and LORD. 4.) MTFV integrates original meanings as the inspired writers understood them at the time they wrote. 5.) MTFV employs internal safeguards found in the scriptures themselves as safeguards against mis-understanding individual verses. We challenge the reader to compare MTFV with whatever version of the Bible they may currently be reading or are familiar with. Then, consider if GOD’s word should be rife with confusion and contradiction or clear and understandable without conflicting verses or versions of the Mind of GOD. After all GOD is not a god of confusion, neither is it possible for him to lie. Therefore, if scripture reflects the mind of GOD as most Bible readers believe, it should reflect GOD’s views in a clear and understandable way, as MTFV does.

Vivid English Translation

Another New Testament translation for you today: This is the Vivid English Translation. Thanks to BB for this news. From the website:

The Nature of This Translation: This Vivid English Translation (VET) of the New Testament is a faithful, accurate rendering of the original Greek text that is simple, clear, easy to understand, and pleasant to read and listen to. As no other translation does, the VET brings out the vividness of the original Greek text, so its English readers and Bible students are able to see for themselves and appreciate the vividness of the various original Greek writers and their intended meanings. Special attention was paid to translating all the different kinds of Greek verb tenses according to their respective uses to render their vividness in the VET’s text. Unlike the VET, popular English translations smooth out the verb tenses into a dead level translation that too often misses the vividness that the Greek verb tenses add to the text, thereby obscuring the original writer’s meaning. As often as possible the VET also translated the emphasis of the original Greek wording. The Greek writers commonly chose their word order according to the stress in their mind at the time. The VET chose to bring out that emphasis. The VET has essentially a literal word-for-word correspondence with the original Greek text to bring the reader and Bible student as close as possible to that original Greek text. When a word-for-word translation of a verse would have resulted in a rendering that would have been difficult for the reader to understand, the verse was translated instead sense-for-sense in a readily understandable idiomatic English. Even children can read the VET with great profit and blessing.

James Quiggle Translation

I just heard about this translation of the New Testament (thank you, BB!). This is the James Quiggle Translation of the New Testament. From Amazon's description:

The James Quiggle Translation of the New Testament (JQTNT) is the culmination of ten years of translation and exegesis of the New Testament books. My purpose was to produce a translation that replicated, as closely as possible, what I believe the original readers would have read in the autographs. The 1904 Nestle text was the primary text, supplemented by later editions, trusted lexicons, textual critics, and grammarians, and compared against eight older to modern translations dating from 1535 to 2005. The result is a translation that reflects the vocabulary and grammar of the New Testament text, and accurately communicates God’s word to the believer.

The Bible in Pirate Speak

I just heard about this one: The Bible in Pirate Speak. According to the website:

The Pirate Bible is a full translation of the Bible (including Old and New Testaments). It was translated using a complex algorithm and artificial intelligence to create a realistic yet content accurate translation of the Holy Book. We hope it inspires you to engage with the Bible in new and meaningful ways.

A sample:

Matthew 6:3 (Pirate Bible) But when ye scuttle booty, let not yer port hand know what yer starboard hand be doin'!

Y'all Version

This has been mentioned in the past, but I believe it has a new website now. It provides options for the second person plural in the Bible. Choose "Y'all," "Youse Guys," "You Lot" or others. Turn your favorite translation into a new version! Visit Y'all Version to try it out.

The Second Testament

This is a new translation of the New Testament by Scot McKnight. I mentioned this back in 2018 when the project was first announced. It is now due to be released by Intervarsity Press in June. For samples of the translation and a description visit IVP here. A sample from their page:

God blesses the beggars in spirit because theirs is Heavens’ Empire. God blesses the grievers because they will be consoled. God blesses the meek because they will inherit the land. God blesses the ones hungering and thirsting for the rightness because they will be satisfied. (Matthew 5:3-6)

American Standard Version Byzantine Text

This version is an adaptation of the American Standard Version. It is called the American Standard Version Byzantine Text. It is available on the ebible website and on Amazon. The description on Amazon reads:

The American Standard Version, Byzantine Text with Apocrypha is an adaptation of the American Standard Version to the Byzantine Text of the New Testament and includes all of the Apocryphal books, which have been adapted from the English Revised Version, Brenton's Septuagint, and G. Buchanan Gray and adjusted to match the style of the American Standard Version. Minor adjustments have been made to spelling, formatting, and punctuation. All alternate Byzantine readings are documented in footnotes.

Thanks to JH for this find.

The Faith Translation

Thanks to a great friend, we have another new translation: The Faith Translation by by John A. Fazio. It is available on Amazon: Samples are being posted on the Facebook page. Thanks to B.B. for his continued research and love for God's Word!