New Living Translation

The last week or so I've been taking a look at the New Living Translation of the Bible

I know that this translation has been out since 1996, but you don't want to rush into these new-fangled things! :D

The reason why I've not really looked at it until now is that it came out around the same time as the Contemporary English Version (CEV), and the CEV came to my attention first. Also I put the NLT aside as I wrongly thought it was just an update on the Living Bible which I had actually first started reading when I was a new Christian in the 1970's.

Like all translations the NLT has strengths and weaknesses. What I've read so far, I like. It is easy to read and has been written to flow well when read aloud. The language is simple yet evocative.

The real weakness of the CEV is that the translators never really understood the nature of the Holy Spirit. They speak of the Spirit "taking control" of a peson. This is wrong. I'm glad to see the NLT retains language which speaks of filling of the Holy Spirit.

So far the NLT appears very good.

I've heard of some evangelicals who were initially excited about the ESV (English Standard Version) going to (or back to) the NLT because the ESV is so hard to read. That's interesting because the ESV was supposed to be the next NIV.

Speaking of the NIV there are plans to issues a revised NIV in 2011. Apparently the TNIV which was the last attempt to tweak the NIV got panned for being too affected by gender issues. It will be interesting to see what the next version turns out like.

Meanwhile the NLT is my current Bible of choice. If I still like it at the end of the year I will treat myself to a Christmas present.