I have found the NLT is as accurate as the NKJV and more so in many instances. NLT will eventually take over #1 spot from NIV. It is a thought for thought trans. but is being attacked by bible snobs which is fine I suppose..Blessings to all believers.
Well here’s my long two cents worth. When I became a Christian back in 1978, I was handed the “new” translation of the times…the NIV! I was also instructed that I needed the Lenski commentaries, the four volume ISBE collection, the CB Williams New Testament, the New Berkeley for the Old Testament reading, the Lockyear(?) collection as well as the Greek and Hebrew dictionaries and a couple other volumes of which I can’t remember! After a few years of struggling with the NIV, I changed to reading the NKJ as that was the translation used by our church denomination. I struggled with that translation for several years with no enjoyment and little knowledge being imparted and certainly no real relationship with God. After several years of frustration, I started reading the NASB translation in hopes of it “clicking” for me. But several years went by with no real enjoyment in reading my Bible(s)! About that time I realized my wife seemed to have a deeper more “intimate” relationship with God than I did…I knew more about Him….but she seemed to know Him…and I thought that that was the purpose of being a Christian AND my Bible reading! About that time, we were in Phoenix for a mini vacation and as we often did, we went browsing in a local Christian bookstore. While checking out the various translations, I came across “Gods Word” and bought a copy. It COMPLETELY changed my Bible reading! At last a translation that seemed to be written for me! A translation I could read easily without having to dig out some dictionary or other “aid” in order for me to follow the narrative!!! It was speaking to me! For the first time in 30 some years, I could hear and feel and sense God talking to me! For the first time EVER!!!! I was enjoying reading the Bible! I read that translation for about 2-3 years before stumbling upon the NLT Life Application Bible which I have been reading for the past 15-20 years. I now love reading my Bible for hours on end, understanding the text, absolutely loving the footnotes and enjoying God speaking to me and being aware of His presence as I read HIS WORD!! As I read most all of the comments and listened to your critique of the NLT, I don’t think I read anything about the purpose of reading the Bible! The purpose, the sole purpose in reading the Bible is NOT to pick apart the translation, it is NOT to figure out whose choice of how to best translate the exact meaning of a particular word to use, the purpose of reading the Bible is to get to know God. It is the main vehicle of establishing and maintaining a RELATIONSHIP with our Heavenly Father…our Savior. It doesn’t really matter which translation you use as long as THAT translation draws you to God….that you try as many as you need to find that one translation that Gods speaks to you through. Find THAT Bible and get lost in the world of your Father and forget about worrying about if it is a perfect most accurate translation. ( I am not talking about fringe Bibles like The New World Translation used by the JW’s or other such, but the accepted Christian Bible translations). All Bibles are compromises…they all have committees who argue and debate how to translate this word or that word…this thought or that thought and all of those theologians know more that any of us. You’re either going to trust the word for word guys or the thought for thought guys…pick your poison! Lastly, we live in a culture that reads very little compared to past generations. And more and more people are NOT growing up in church where they hear NKJ, NASB, NIV English, so when a new Christian picks up a NLT which is written I language he or she uses themselves, it is much easier for them to understand and relate to what they’re reading. We ought to take that into consideration….I don’t think God wrote the Bible for us to become Greek and He few grammarians…I think He wants to make His word as easy as possible to understand….and enjoy…. Sorry for the rant!
You Sir require a medal for your persistence! Most people would have given up long ago. My son has been asking about the reliability of this translation. Loved your 'rant'. I found my reading of the Bible was dry as a teenager but mostly that was my problem. My choice of translation is determined by which translation I want to memorise. Bless you.
An excellent “rant”! I’m with you. I read through the Bible in a different translation each year, and the NLT is hands down, my favorite “reading” bible. It also is pretty good for study, as it does indeed (usually) accurately render what my detailed studies have revealed.
Thank you for your message Bob. When I experienced something similar, this is what helped me: In his introduction to the book of Leviticus, pastor Ray Steadman shared a personal story as an analogy to to reading and understanding this difficult book. He talked about taking a tour of a factory. He arrived early, and was allowed to freely wander through parts of the factory and look around for himself while waiting for the tour guide. While watching alone, the entire operation looked and sounded like a cacophony of chaos, with people performing seemingly random, disassociated activities that made no sense to him at all. But when the guide arrived and began explaining the process, and the way all the various activities integrated together, his eyes were opened and he was able to understand the meaning and purposes for what he was watching. This certainly applies to Leviticus, but also to all the other books of the Bible. When I was struggling to understand and "connect" with the Bible, and jumping from translation to translation, the thing I personally needed were knowledgeable, trusted, Godly tour guides. The late Ray Steadman was a good choice for me, as well as several others: Chuck Missler, Chuck Smith, A.W. Pink, etc. I use the KJV and the ESV as my primary translations now, probably because several of these teachers used them (although Mr. Steadman used the NIV I believe). But at least for me, the specific translation was not the primary issue. I just needed someone to walk with me and help me understand.
I am a pastor and a lot of the people at our church don’t understand the language of the king James Bible, and so I mostly use the NLT and the new king James version and people seem to really like it.
As a guy that was more “word for word”, I started thinking & just realized that the point of reading the Bible is to understand. My go to’s are NASB for study, CSB for preaching/teaching/memorization, and NLT for daily reading.
@@sorenpx The NLT to the NASB readability-wise is night & day. The CSB tries to be the best dynamic so it still has some passages that are more word for word which loses readability. Not as bad as the NASB but still not as good (for reading) as the NLT.
@@DavidReyes-qn1bq I've heard people say that they rank the NASB relatively low for readability but I've never really understood this. It's not like having to struggle through the language of the KJV. I mean, it's modern English. With that said, however, I will admit that there are times when I'll hit a passage and the wording is a little challenging. On those occasions I will consult other translations to enhance my understanding. It doesn't happen nearly enough that I feel like I need to use an entirely different translation as my daily reader though.
@@sorenpx Hmmm, the KJV is not modern English. 1611 is a completely different age. If you want to say it’s readable that’s one thing but you cannot say it’s “modern English”. We are in the 21st century. Language changes & that’s okay.
I probably have 30 bibles of every translation and I always come back to the nlt. I can read the bible without having to stop and question every other word. Am I lazy? Maybe, but I'm much more apt to read when I enjoy it and understand.
The NLT has become more precise since it's last edit. John 3:16 reads similarly to the CSB. Frankly, the CSB is awkward English quite frequently, so those around me haven't liked it and would rather stick to their ESV. I know many Pastors who actually love the NLT. Here's John 3:16 in the NLT at Bible Gateway: “For this is how God loved the world: He gave[a] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." As far as accuracy, the scholarship behind the NLT and NIV is some of the best on the planet. There's no getting around that fact.
It was the Living Bible that I picked up when I was 19 years old and started reading when I got saved. It was like the word of God became alive to me in a moment and I believed and my life was changed forever. That was 30 years ago now.
I used to be KJV only. I was pretty prideful about it. I’ve struggled to settle on a translation. I can understand the KJV mostly, I can understand the NKJV. I’ve been struggling with picking a new translation…I’ve avoided the NLT because I’ve always thought of it as a kids Bible. I just read a few passages in some epistles I couldn’t understand before really. My spirit leapt, almost like God was saying, here’s your answer you prideful guy…you get the easy readers version. So I’m good by to be a NLT guy for awhile. With my NKJV along for deeper study.
It reads well, you can dig deep into the rabbit holes after if you want but as a standalone it's fine. It's not like we're not online and in various study bibles too, NLT actually provides good apps and concordances for anyone interested, great visual materials in the back, good blogs occasionally.... I don't get the trend against them as I agree with most of their interpretive conclusions that are inserted in the main text anyways.
Schuyler is doing NLT Quentels this year, I don't know for sure if that or a Caxton is ideal but they're only doing the big Q this year so no reason to debate choices there. I was recently gifted (from a buddy that is a dyslexic pastor) a copy of God's Word (to the nations), it's supposedly purposed for 3rd grade reading level so kids and dyslexics can get it but it reads good. It's all single column, decent looking font and print quality, nothing in the gutter, not too ghosty, sewn binding, cheap. Honestly I wish I'd bought one years ago when he was first telling me about them, they're severely under-rated.
Almost my exact experience. KJV only for a long while, then added ESV, read some passages in NLT and wham! My heart leapt at certain verses. Even verses I understood. It just hit home in my heart.
I’m having the same experience, just started listening to Romans NLT audio, and had read a few passages in NLT before that, and my spirit is definitely bearing witness to it as well. So counterintuitive to my KJV only mind. God’s been emphasizing heart over mind to be lately, and this is confirmation I believe.
I love the NLT. I started using The NLT in 1996. Then in 2017 I found CSB. Now CSB is my go to translation. Thank you for your perspective on the NTL and the CSB.
This was an accurate and fair review. My preference is really the CSB (Christian Standard Bible), it does both with the word for word philosophy so we can see an accurate translation of the original words from the word of God and yet does so in a clear way that can be easily understood.
I first heard of the NLT by listening to K-LOVE Radio. The NLT is one of the best translations I’ve ever had the privilege of reading. It’s wonderful to quote during a conversation because the words just flow from the mouth.
Not my first choice but a must-have one. For sometime the ESV and CSB is a bit hard to understand for me, so I will go to the NLT to get a clear picture of some verses.
So you're saying your word for word is really stiff so you need to get a better bible to clarify the verse. SEEMS TO me you might want to change your other bibles and use the nlt slot more.think about it..blessings
I got saved 50yrs ago with Taylors LB.My favorite today is NASB 95 but we are spoiled with many wonderful translations I still read LB relaxing in the car while my wife shops during the worst of COVID.But we are so truly spoiled.My wife is Filipina and finding her a study bible in visaya was was difficult and expensive.We have ministered in Phils church planting and there are many Christians with limited english or reading skills even in their main dialects.Here in the US my wife finds NLT parallel bibles to be the most helpful and gradually she has learned KJV english this way.Our western culture did not have an accessable translation until the 1600's.Its humbling to see the many brothers and sisters schooled by Gods Holy Spirit with such deep faith,understanding,and hunger for the Word.
Love the NLT. I grew up on the KJV and have read the NKJV a lot too. I preached out of the NLT for 8 and a half years. Used other translations when studying, but found for the most part the NLT was very accurate. I have a parallel Bible that is KJV and NLT. Love it!
I agree. The nlt is a very accurate bible.I always notice these experts who read kjv nasb, asv, most of the time have an nlt to " clarify" the verse. Seems to me a bunch of bible snobs.Thx , Toni's husband
Love the NLT! I've read thru the KJV NKJV ESV NIV and the NLT. I've never found a place where the NLT was wrong. It's much easier to understand and I can spend my time reading instead of trying to find out what thwart means. The list could go on and on. Nice review.
Agreed..I also have not found error in any important doctrine..Quite frankly, if you compare nkjv to nlt using kjv as the standard, the nlt imo is more accurate.. example: rom. 11:13 not and kjv agree as Paul is THE apostle to the gentiles, nkjv misrepresents that with AN apostle..Paul was The apostle to gentiles..not the 12. Their msg was to Israel (jews)..Very important to "rightly divide the word of truth "..blessings..Toni 's husband
My dad gave me a nlt before I got saved. It was not an English one, it was a Afrikaanse NLT, (nuwe lewende vertaling). When I eventually read it after I got saved I did not like it at all due to me being so used to another Afrikaans translation based on the TR. I gave that bible away and now I'm kind of bummed that I did, back then I did not yet understand how different translations are done and about different manuscripts. I pray it has been a blessing to the new owner.
What's the difference in a preacher reading a word for word translation then giving you his denominations interpretation versus an individual reading the NLT and getting the translators interpretation...preacher may not know Greek and Hebrew where the translator does.
Tim, buying my teenage grandson bible for Christmas and had this version in mind. This review was extremely helpful especially the back story. As usual, well done and thank you very much. Blessings GmaJo
Thank you, very nice balanced overview of the NLT. The NLT provided me a great introduction to reading the whole Bible and has since inspired deeper study of the Word. Good observation of some of the changes made by the NLT. My pet peeve is the re-wording of the Lord's Prayer from the original KJV, Matthew 6:9-13. Thank you for sharing your perspective, God bless.
I just ordered a NLT. I was drawn to a very random TH-cam video by a young Christian woman who talked about some of the struggles she had had with Christianity that matched my own very well. Then she read some of the verses that God led her to and I was blown away. How come I hadn't read those verses??? Well it turned out I had but they had little meaning to me. So I searched for what translation she must have been using and it was the NLT. I couldn't believe how much those passages she read spoke to me. I needed them badly because I was feeling so anxious I was tempted to just quit altogether, which I had done a few times already. So I'm very excited to now read this translation and hopefully get more meaning from the passages I had read before that went over my head.
My go-to Bible is the CSB, but I also use the Legacy Standard Bible, the NET Bible, NKJV, NASB, BSB, etc, etc. I've just started reading the NLT and am really enjoying it. It's as far to the right side of the chart you showed as I'm willing to go though!
I love accuracy, its essential for exact (expository) dissection. My favourite is NKJV just 'because', but no matter what, I always ref. to KJV for surgical study. But! The NLT (personally) is AWESOME for 'bulk' reading/listening, I can just put away the microscope and enjoy the (true) story. (The YouVersion audio dude for the NLTis very storytellerish to the ear). Tbh, during my 'onlyism' arrogance I did find it very lukewarmish literally but a bloke called Mark (he does a KJV difficult word help channel thing) once said (my recall not quote), "unless I am fluent in ancient Hebrew/Aramaic/Greek, then I'm better off reading multiple translations." So I do. I use YouVersion to do comparatives and I have 8 different translations (hard copies) on my shelf, including LSB NT, which I finally received in the post. So get into it, love God, love Christ, love His word, love one another, love Tim, and love to love. Thanks Tim, God bless
I really like the NLT. It was the first version I actually read "cover to cover" (with the help of audio features in YouVersion app). Changed my life! I've explored more word for word translations and NKJV is my go to translation now but I love how helpful NLT was to my journey and understanding of the scriptures. Also as someone who was ONLY exposed to KJV as a child, I really wish I had found it sooner. My kids will be reading NLT as soon as they start reading lol
I pretty much agree with your assessment of the NLT. I do like it quite a bit and it certainly scores high marks for readability. I would say it is a great "second translation" to have on hand to supplement a more literal edition.
As a very conservative fundamental Baptist who was trained in the KJVO school of thought but is not a KJV onlyist, I do tend to give preference to more literal translations (NKJV, ESV, NASB). That said I have found great value in devotional readings in the NLT. I would never use it for serious study or memorization but it really does give you an easy to understand text without driving a woke agenda. Pair it with the Life Application Study Bible notes and you get one really good Bible for daily devotions.
Every translation has its advantages and its disadvantages. I think we should pick a few translations from different approaches of translation and read them all. That being said, I believe who wants to know what the original says needs to learn Greek or hebrew. Even a word for word translation can't tell what the original says, because there's time gap and the languages are too different. Sometimes a word in language can't be translated in only one word in other translation. And this is occurs even today, in modern languages.
The NLT is a great Reading Bible - The other translations you mention are better used for Bible study. I love the NLT but you're correct, there are issues, and that's why you should study with other translations, and I got saved in 1980 so I'm not a new Christian.
You quoted from an older version of the NLT for John 3:16, so your video quote is skewed. The first part of JOHN 3:16 reads “For this is how God loved the world....” from the current 2015 NLT update. Thanks for listening.
I have used NLT, NIV, CSB, KJV, NKJV & ESV. I always come back to the NLT. I often use the audio settings on YouVersion when I am working or busy around the house- I always come back to NLT because it simply flows beautifully. I actually can visualize what is happening. To me, I'd. rather understand the book I am studying in its entirety rather than reading or listening to clunky wording. NLT does a remarkable job of just flowing elegantly.
Thank you for your observations on the NLT translation. During regular bible study I tend to read more literal translations like the ESV, CSB, NKJV, NASB, and NIV. That said, for casual reading I enjoy reading the NLT.
Disclaimer: I have not read the NLT. This was so helpful, thank you. I realize now that I had the NLT confused with The Living Bible, which I knew was a paraphrase. (That always makes me nervous. I don't need to hear what YOU "think" it means. I want to know what the words are, in the most accurate form they can be translated.)
They updated it in 2015 as well, and the information I received was that it was based on the Bishops in India who contacted them, and now the Protestant/Evangelical and Catholic versions are identical except for the Deutercanon.
Back in the 70s, i did like the Living Translation, but it had accuracy issues! I was really glad when the NLT came out. A translation can be accurate AND understandable.
NLT is my new favorite for listening on audio. It is digestable without getting dry. KJV is still the best for when I want to take my time reading and NASB for really digging into the context and translation decisions.
I was using a Spanish bible (RV60) when I was saved in the 2000s. When going to Bible studies, NLT (1st edition) was noticiable different to me, so unfortunately I distrusted it. I just recently looked up John 3:16 and the newer NLT editions corrected the 'loved the world so much' to 'this is how God loved the world'. I am very glad the newer editions are fixing their interpretation. I just got a NLT, hopefully I learn to like it.
I've always liked how the NLT renders the amount of money in Jesus's parable about the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18. For the first servant, the NLT says he owed the master "millions of dollars," while the other servant owed that servant "a few thousand dollars." By comparison, the first servant owed 10,000 talents, more than double Herod the Great's annual tax revenue which was 800 talents, and would have been 100 million days wages, or 275 thousand years of work to pay off. An even closer paraphrase to shock modern readers like the original audience would be to say the first servant owed the entirety of the US National Debt. Jesus was clearly using a hyperbolic number to drive his point home about God's grace, and therefore, I see no problem with translations paraphrasing it like the NLT.
Did you know there is a university called Northeastern? It is in Boston, and I by chance walked onto campus a few years ago while touring Boston. I am glad your sweatshirt clarifies , NORTHEASTERN Baptist College.
English is my second language im not that good at english, my main bible is a diglot one deep tagalog and KJV a deep english.. but now I ordered NLT so that I can understand better.. my english teacher also said to learn english I must always read english books.. so I will read bible in english translation, I want to improve my english 😁
FWIW: I think the weakest link in the NLT is rendering Old Testament Hebrew Poetry into English. Otherwise it is the version I turn to when Scripture seems “dense.” I prefer the ESV, CSV and the NET for deep Bible study. MikeinMinnesota
Regarding John 3:16 I’m not sure what text version your using but in my 2015 edition it states “For this is how God loved the world” in John 3:16 and what you stated is in the footnote. I like the NLT personally. I wouldn’t make any points with it but I use it along side my NASB and LSB. It serves as a great aid with those versions.
As a person who “grew up on” on a very literal word-for-word translation, I was very skeptical about a translation with a thought-for-thought approach. The NLT has won me over. Let me provide an example why - Matthew 5:3 is a notoriously difficult to translate verse. Most translate “poor in spirit” without explaining the outcome to which what that spiritual poverty leads. Other translations read “conscious of their spiritual need” which conveys the outcome without explaining what led to it. The NLT is just perfect in translating this verse as “those who are poor and realize their need for him” as the perfect balance that conveys the meaning of those beautiful words. Like any translation, it has its shortcomings, but I have yet to find a verse where the intent of conveying the original meaning did not shine through.
i often think for my 13 yr old daughter, whos english is her 2nd language, if it is worth to read a translation that is easier to grasp, with a simplified vocabulary in the way it is translated.
I must have a more updated version of the NLT because in mine; John 3:16 says- 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.
I think one could be just fine using the NLT and never read another version. BUT I do understand your point , I think the KJV with the NLT would be a great combo. PSALMS and PROVERBS is so beautiful in the KJV and the NLT loses that IMHO. Everybody's ear is different though so maybe I'm just old fashioned.
Thank you for making this video. I read somewhere that Ken Taylor paraphrase the ASV of 1901 which resulted into the Living Bible.I bought a NLT in a used book bookstore though what I plan to buy is The Message but I realized that the NLT Bible is less expensive so I bought it instead.In my bible reading I look at how it reads after of course raading the KJV then NKJV then NASB.
The problem with the Charles Dickens comparison is that Dickens writes in English. And he was writing just 150 years ago. Not only is the Bible an entirely different language, or group of languages, it's also ancient. But in general, I agree that the weakness of the NLT is its use of modern idioms and a bit of over interpretation at times. Although I must admit that it's very readable. If you just want to sit down and read the Bible without having to study, I don't think there's a better translation out there for that purpose. I think it's good to read if you have something to refer it against.
Personally I use the NIV because the NLT is a bit too dynamic for me, I like to read a translation that has a balance between word for word and thought for thought. I have nothing against the NLT though, different translations work for different people.
Rather than using KJV, NKJV or ESV with study bible and commentary to help us understand difficult verses, NLT can be understood largely without any study bible or commentary.
Hey Tim, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the Good News Bible/GNT. It was one of the first dynamic equivalence Bibles, but seems to be a bit more literal than the NLT for instance, and stays away from too much interpretation or 'heart language' as you mention here. Let me know what you think though. It seems somewhat popular in the UK and Australia, or was at one point.
I find the NLT bizarrely really hard to read, I think it’s because I was brought up with the KJV and I always feel that I am missing something. When it comes to simplifying my bible reading I would go with the NKJV, CSB, NIV.
Great video! I have never read the NLT or the CSB versions. From my research the NLT is a 6th grade reading level and the CSB is a 7th grade reading level. I cut my spiritual teeth on the KJV which is a 12th grade reading level. My goal is to read both of these versions to see how the content of thought lines up. Thanks for making this video. God bless you.
Even the new NASB went with brothers and sisters as many of the newer translations have mutually done. Not sure but it seems as if the NET was one of the first to go in that direction.
The NLT is really easy to read and understand but there are some verses in it that I can't find, and there is some strange wording in other verses I'm not comfortable with, there's even some words missing that makes Jesus look like a sinner, so overall I eventually stopped reading it, I just wasn't comfortable. One example is a verse in my Nkjv said if you are angry with your brother without a cause then you are in danger of the judgment, the words "without a cause" is not in the NLT, that immediately stuck out to me as Jesus must be a sinner then because the Bible says in a couple of places that he was angry
I don’t agree with the idea that NLT is meant for people who find difficult to read word for word type of translations, because the translators of the NLT are the scholars who are quite familiar with KJV, NKJV or NASB. In fact they are scholars of biblical Greek and Hebrew languages which are a dream for you and me. Therefore, A Frisch Perspective review of NLT is not really touching the point.
I'm getting myself ready to purchase my First Bible ever. I've been a Christian since I was young, now getting ready to turn 49 I'm trying to get closer to God & becoming a better person spiritually and overall. I've had trouble with reading comprehension since I could remember, but I don't want that to stop me from reading the bible. In the past reading the bible most likely the KJV I was always like "Wait what?" not understanding a thing i might have read. My church family suggested the Life Application Study Bible because It breaks things down and explains them in way to better understand. My issue is, which version do i get, which led me to searching "explain new living translation bible" and here i am. Would you also recommend NLV of this study bible for a more or less first time reader with comprehension issues or another version. Any advice or opinions are appreciated. God Bless and Thanks in advance.
Yes, I believe the NLT Life Application would be helpful to you. Email me at afrischperspective@gmail.com, and I have one that I could send to you if you have not already purchased one. God bless!
Love the video. I love the nlt for putting the Bible in plain English and trying to be accurate. My nlt is in English and Spanish. Can’t go wrong, Two very popular languages and the Bible in very understandable reading. I could reach millions. Yikes. I didn’t like how the nlt added all the interpretations at the end of Ephesians 2:11
Honestly... I don’t wznt Scripturd to sound like my everyday language. I read the NKJV, the RSV:CE, snd the ESV. None of the translations are hard to understand.. but the hsve that besutiful Biblical sound. I don’t mind thst once in a while I have to think a little bit... I do think this kind of translation is hflpguo Shan working with children...and narrative reading might be a good use of the NLY..
You are entirely mistaken in the 8 minute period. A translation, by virtue of being a translation is not going to word things they "way they heard it' in ancient times. Your Dickens analogy is weak because in that case he wrote in 19th century English. And to argue for an update into 21 century English for that novelist is worlds away from Hebrew and Greek put into modern English. Another thing, all translation involves interpretation all the time. It's unavoidable. Interpretive decisions must be made throughout the translating process.
@@sueregan2782 No, a commentary will add things. A translation should be faithful to the original languages. Commentaries should not be in the text; it should be put in the footnotes, if at all.
While I think the NLT is better than no Bible at all, I am consistently surprised by the popularity of this translation. Not only is it way too close to a paraphrase--is "translation" truly accurate?--but the contemporary language is off-putting. A lot of people clearly love it though.
I think NIrV translation is better. Easier to read and it does not interpret that much. The flow of each paragraph is much better. Psalms, Job and the prophets are beautiful to read.
The NLT is the most underrated translation in English. It is just so good in so many ways.
I love the NLT. I use it in conjunction with the KJV and NASB when I study in depth. It's very faithful to the texts from what I have seen.
I have found the NLT is as accurate as the NKJV and more so in many instances. NLT will eventually take over #1 spot from NIV. It is a thought for thought trans. but is being attacked by bible snobs which is fine I suppose..Blessings to all believers.
@@tonimccoy9778 it’s second now. The ESV is third and KJV 4th. 😯
I finally listened to my heart and use and understand the NLT. Everybody says the KJV which I don’t understand. I’m very happy now.
@@BibleLovingLutheranreally? I’m surprised it’s the popular but I’ve grown to love the NLT after 20 years of reading NKJV.
Well here’s my long two cents worth. When I became a Christian back in 1978, I was handed the “new” translation of the times…the NIV! I was also instructed that I needed the Lenski commentaries, the four volume ISBE collection, the CB Williams New Testament, the New Berkeley for the Old Testament reading, the Lockyear(?) collection as well as the Greek and Hebrew dictionaries and a couple other volumes of which I can’t remember! After a few years of struggling with the NIV, I changed to reading the NKJ as that was the translation used by our church denomination. I struggled with that translation for several years with no enjoyment and little knowledge being imparted and certainly no real relationship with God. After several years of frustration, I started reading the NASB translation in hopes of it “clicking” for me. But several years went by with no real enjoyment in reading my Bible(s)! About that time I realized my wife seemed to have a deeper more “intimate” relationship with God than I did…I knew more about Him….but she seemed to know Him…and I thought that that was the purpose of being a Christian AND my Bible reading! About that time, we were in Phoenix for a mini vacation and as we often did, we went browsing in a local Christian bookstore. While checking out the various translations, I came across “Gods Word” and bought a copy. It COMPLETELY changed my Bible reading! At last a translation that seemed to be written for me! A translation I could read easily without having to dig out some dictionary or other “aid” in order for me to follow the narrative!!! It was speaking to me! For the first time in 30 some years, I could hear and feel and sense God talking to me! For the first time EVER!!!! I was enjoying reading the Bible! I read that translation for about 2-3 years before stumbling upon the NLT Life Application Bible which I have been reading for the past 15-20 years. I now love reading my Bible for hours on end, understanding the text, absolutely loving the footnotes and enjoying God speaking to me and being aware of His presence as I read HIS WORD!!
As I read most all of the comments and listened to your critique of the NLT, I don’t think I read anything about the purpose of reading the Bible! The purpose, the sole purpose in reading the Bible is NOT to pick apart the translation, it is NOT to figure out whose choice of how to best translate the exact meaning of a particular word to use, the purpose of reading the Bible is to get to know God. It is the main vehicle of establishing and maintaining a RELATIONSHIP with our Heavenly Father…our Savior. It doesn’t really matter which translation you use as long as THAT translation draws you to God….that you try as many as you need to find that one translation that Gods speaks to you through. Find THAT Bible and get lost in the world of your Father and forget about worrying about if it is a perfect most accurate translation. ( I am not talking about fringe Bibles like The New World Translation used by the JW’s or other such, but the accepted Christian Bible translations). All Bibles are compromises…they all have committees who argue and debate how to translate this word or that word…this thought or that thought and all of those theologians know more that any of us. You’re either going to trust the word for word guys or the thought for thought guys…pick your poison! Lastly, we live in a culture that reads very little compared to past generations. And more and more people are NOT growing up in church where they hear NKJ, NASB, NIV English, so when a new Christian picks up a NLT which is written I language he or she uses themselves, it is much easier for them to understand and relate to what they’re reading. We ought to take that into consideration….I don’t think God wrote the Bible for us to become Greek and He few grammarians…I think He wants to make His word as easy as possible to understand….and enjoy….
Sorry for the rant!
Right on
Thank you for this comment! I can relate to this a lot and am very excited to start reading this translation.
You Sir require a medal for your persistence! Most people would have given up long ago. My son has been asking about the reliability of this translation. Loved your 'rant'. I found my reading of the Bible was dry as a teenager but mostly that was my problem. My choice of translation is determined by which translation I want to memorise. Bless you.
An excellent “rant”! I’m with you. I read through the Bible in a different translation each year, and the NLT is hands down, my favorite “reading” bible. It also is pretty good for study, as it does indeed (usually) accurately render what my detailed studies have revealed.
Thank you for your message Bob. When I experienced something similar, this is what helped me: In his introduction to the book of Leviticus, pastor Ray Steadman shared a personal story as an analogy to to reading and understanding this difficult book. He talked about taking a tour of a factory. He arrived early, and was allowed to freely wander through parts of the factory and look around for himself while waiting for the tour guide. While watching alone, the entire operation looked and sounded like a cacophony of chaos, with people performing seemingly random, disassociated activities that made no sense to him at all. But when the guide arrived and began explaining the process, and the way all the various activities integrated together, his eyes were opened and he was able to understand the meaning and purposes for what he was watching. This certainly applies to Leviticus, but also to all the other books of the Bible. When I was struggling to understand and "connect" with the Bible, and jumping from translation to translation, the thing I personally needed were knowledgeable, trusted, Godly tour guides. The late Ray Steadman was a good choice for me, as well as several others: Chuck Missler, Chuck Smith, A.W. Pink, etc. I use the KJV and the ESV as my primary translations now, probably because several of these teachers used them (although Mr. Steadman used the NIV I believe). But at least for me, the specific translation was not the primary issue. I just needed someone to walk with me and help me understand.
I am a pastor and a lot of the people at our church don’t understand the language of the king James Bible, and so I mostly use the NLT and the new king James version and people seem to really like it.
We use NKJV at my church too. I love to use the NLT to restate verses and phrases that are harder to grasp.
@@jimyoung9262 Me too! Great minds think alike. lol
The NLT has helped me to read and understand the NASB and the NKJV and the ESV. I love reading all these so I can educate myself better.
As a guy that was more “word for word”, I started thinking & just realized that the point of reading the Bible is to understand.
My go to’s are NASB for study, CSB for preaching/teaching/memorization, and NLT for daily reading.
What do you feel the NLT offers for daily reading that the other two do not?
@@sorenpx The NLT to the NASB readability-wise is night & day.
The CSB tries to be the best dynamic so it still has some passages that are more word for word which loses readability. Not as bad as the NASB but still not as good (for reading) as the NLT.
@@DavidReyes-qn1bq I've heard people say that they rank the NASB relatively low for readability but I've never really understood this. It's not like having to struggle through the language of the KJV. I mean, it's modern English.
With that said, however, I will admit that there are times when I'll hit a passage and the wording is a little challenging. On those occasions I will consult other translations to enhance my understanding. It doesn't happen nearly enough that I feel like I need to use an entirely different translation as my daily reader though.
@@sorenpx Hmmm, the KJV is not modern English. 1611 is a completely different age. If you want to say it’s readable that’s one thing but you cannot say it’s “modern English”. We are in the 21st century. Language changes & that’s okay.
@@DavidReyes-qn1bq Read my comment again. I'm talking about the NASB.
I probably have 30 bibles of every translation and I always come back to the nlt. I can read the bible without having to stop and question every other word. Am I lazy? Maybe, but I'm much more apt to read when I enjoy it and understand.
There are more than 15 translations and you have ten of each? 450 Bibles? Wow, that's a lot.
The NLT has become more precise since it's last edit. John 3:16 reads similarly to the CSB. Frankly, the CSB is awkward English quite frequently, so those around me haven't liked it and would rather stick to their ESV. I know many Pastors who actually love the NLT. Here's John 3:16 in the NLT at Bible Gateway: “For this is how God loved the world: He gave[a] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." As far as accuracy, the scholarship behind the NLT and NIV is some of the best on the planet. There's no getting around that fact.
Strongly agree. Right on.
It was the Living Bible that I picked up when I was 19 years old and started reading when I got saved. It was like the word of God became alive to me in a moment and I believed and my life was changed forever. That was 30 years ago now.
I like this translation. It hard to stop reading it when you visualize what’s happening in the chapters.
I used to be KJV only. I was pretty prideful about it. I’ve struggled to settle on a translation. I can understand the KJV mostly, I can understand the NKJV. I’ve been struggling with picking a new translation…I’ve avoided the NLT because I’ve always thought of it as a kids Bible. I just read a few passages in some epistles I couldn’t understand before really. My spirit leapt, almost like God was saying, here’s your answer you prideful guy…you get the easy readers version. So I’m good by to be a NLT guy for awhile. With my NKJV along for deeper study.
I love this comment! I'm excited to start reading this translation.
It reads well, you can dig deep into the rabbit holes after if you want but as a standalone it's fine. It's not like we're not online and in various study bibles too, NLT actually provides good apps and concordances for anyone interested, great visual materials in the back, good blogs occasionally.... I don't get the trend against them as I agree with most of their interpretive conclusions that are inserted in the main text anyways.
Schuyler is doing NLT Quentels this year, I don't know for sure if that or a Caxton is ideal but they're only doing the big Q this year so no reason to debate choices there.
I was recently gifted (from a buddy that is a dyslexic pastor) a copy of God's Word (to the nations), it's supposedly purposed for 3rd grade reading level so kids and dyslexics can get it but it reads good. It's all single column, decent looking font and print quality, nothing in the gutter, not too ghosty, sewn binding, cheap. Honestly I wish I'd bought one years ago when he was first telling me about them, they're severely under-rated.
Almost my exact experience. KJV only for a long while, then added ESV, read some passages in NLT and wham! My heart leapt at certain verses. Even verses I understood. It just hit home in my heart.
I’m having the same experience, just started listening to Romans NLT audio, and had read a few passages in NLT before that, and my spirit is definitely bearing witness to it as well. So counterintuitive to my KJV only mind. God’s been emphasizing heart over mind to be lately, and this is confirmation I believe.
I love the NLT. I started using The NLT in 1996. Then in 2017 I found CSB. Now CSB is my go to translation. Thank you for your perspective on the NTL and the CSB.
This was an accurate and fair review. My preference is really the CSB (Christian Standard Bible), it does both with the word for word philosophy so we can see an accurate translation of the original words from the word of God and yet does so in a clear way that can be easily understood.
I first heard of the NLT by listening to K-LOVE Radio. The NLT is one of the best translations I’ve ever had the privilege of reading. It’s wonderful to quote during a conversation because the words just flow from the mouth.
I just got a NLT single column with no notes to try and read thru the old testament and it does read easy
This was the first translation I’ve read outside of the KJV. I love the ease of the translation.
Aaron Crawford But the King James has been changed so much have you noticed?
Me too.
Not my first choice but a must-have one. For sometime the ESV and CSB is a bit hard to understand for me, so I will go to the NLT to get a clear picture of some verses.
So you're saying your word for word is really stiff so you need to get a better bible to clarify the verse. SEEMS TO me you might want to change your other bibles and use the nlt slot more.think about it..blessings
I got saved 50yrs ago with Taylors LB.My favorite today is NASB 95 but we are spoiled with many wonderful translations I still read LB relaxing in the car while my wife shops during the worst of COVID.But we are so truly spoiled.My wife is Filipina and finding her a study bible in visaya was was difficult and expensive.We have ministered in Phils church planting and there are many Christians with limited english or reading skills even in their main dialects.Here in the US my wife finds NLT parallel bibles to be the most helpful and gradually she has learned KJV english this way.Our western culture did not have an accessable translation until the 1600's.Its humbling to see the many brothers and sisters schooled by Gods Holy Spirit with such deep faith,understanding,and hunger for the Word.
Love the NLT. I grew up on the KJV and have read the NKJV a lot too. I preached out of the NLT for 8 and a half years. Used other translations when studying, but found for the most part the NLT was very accurate. I have a parallel Bible that is KJV and NLT. Love it!
I agree. The nlt is a very accurate bible.I always notice these experts who read kjv nasb, asv, most of the time have an nlt to " clarify" the verse. Seems to me a bunch of bible snobs.Thx , Toni's husband
Love the NLT! I've read thru the KJV NKJV ESV NIV and the NLT. I've never found a place where the NLT was wrong. It's much easier to understand and I can spend my time reading instead of trying to find out what thwart means. The list could go on and on. Nice review.
Agreed..I also have not found error in any important doctrine..Quite frankly, if you compare nkjv to nlt using kjv as the standard, the nlt imo is more accurate.. example: rom. 11:13 not and kjv agree as Paul is THE apostle to the gentiles, nkjv misrepresents that with AN apostle..Paul was The apostle to gentiles..not the 12. Their msg was to Israel (jews)..Very important to "rightly divide the word of truth "..blessings..Toni 's husband
My dad gave me a nlt before I got saved. It was not an English one, it was a Afrikaanse NLT, (nuwe lewende vertaling). When I eventually read it after I got saved I did not like it at all due to me being so used to another Afrikaans translation based on the TR. I gave that bible away and now I'm kind of bummed that I did, back then I did not yet understand how different translations are done and about different manuscripts. I pray it has been a blessing to the new owner.
After watching the vid till the end I'm not that bummed anymore 😁
One upvote from our brothers Down Under.
What's the difference in a preacher reading a word for word translation then giving you his denominations interpretation versus an individual reading the NLT and getting the translators interpretation...preacher may not know Greek and Hebrew where the translator does.
I so love the NLT tanslation that I love it so much.
Tim, buying my teenage grandson bible for Christmas and had this version in mind. This review was extremely helpful especially the back story. As usual, well done and thank you very much. Blessings GmaJo
I definitely got a Frisch Perspective from this. Thanks. Praise the LORD our God.
Thank you, very nice balanced overview of the NLT. The NLT provided me a great introduction to reading the whole Bible and has since inspired deeper study of the Word. Good observation of some of the changes made by the NLT. My pet peeve is the re-wording of the Lord's Prayer from the original KJV, Matthew 6:9-13. Thank you for sharing your perspective, God bless.
The KJV isn't the original. It is simply the most well-known. You would have to go further back for that...to Latin, Greek and so on.
I just ordered a NLT. I was drawn to a very random TH-cam video by a young Christian woman who talked about some of the struggles she had had with Christianity that matched my own very well. Then she read some of the verses that God led her to and I was blown away. How come I hadn't read those verses??? Well it turned out I had but they had little meaning to me. So I searched for what translation she must have been using and it was the NLT. I couldn't believe how much those passages she read spoke to me. I needed them badly because I was feeling so anxious I was tempted to just quit altogether, which I had done a few times already. So I'm very excited to now read this translation and hopefully get more meaning from the passages I had read before that went over my head.
My go-to Bible is the CSB, but I also use the Legacy Standard Bible, the NET Bible, NKJV, NASB, BSB, etc, etc. I've just started reading the NLT and am really enjoying it. It's as far to the right side of the chart you showed as I'm willing to go though!
I love accuracy, its essential for exact (expository) dissection. My favourite is NKJV just 'because', but no matter what, I always ref. to KJV for surgical study. But!
The NLT (personally) is AWESOME for 'bulk' reading/listening, I can just put away the microscope and enjoy the (true) story. (The YouVersion audio dude for the NLTis very storytellerish to the ear).
Tbh, during my 'onlyism' arrogance I did find it very lukewarmish literally but a bloke called Mark (he does a KJV difficult word help channel thing) once said (my recall not quote), "unless I am fluent in ancient Hebrew/Aramaic/Greek, then I'm better off reading multiple translations." So I do. I use YouVersion to do comparatives and I have 8 different translations (hard copies) on my shelf, including LSB NT, which I finally received in the post. So get into it, love God, love Christ, love His word, love one another, love Tim, and love to love.
Thanks Tim, God bless
I really like the NLT. It was the first version I actually read "cover to cover" (with the help of audio features in YouVersion app). Changed my life! I've explored more word for word translations and NKJV is my go to translation now but I love how helpful NLT was to my journey and understanding of the scriptures. Also as someone who was ONLY exposed to KJV as a child, I really wish I had found it sooner. My kids will be reading NLT as soon as they start reading lol
I pretty much agree with your assessment of the NLT. I do like it quite a bit and it certainly scores high marks for readability. I would say it is a great "second translation" to have on hand to supplement a more literal edition.
So when u don't understand a verse or verses , you go to the understandable NLT...ok..Dont quite get why NLT is not your#1..
As a very conservative fundamental Baptist who was trained in the KJVO school of thought but is not a KJV onlyist, I do tend to give preference to more literal translations (NKJV, ESV, NASB). That said I have found great value in devotional readings in the NLT. I would never use it for serious study or memorization but it really does give you an easy to understand text without driving a woke agenda. Pair it with the Life Application Study Bible notes and you get one really good Bible for daily devotions.
This channel and the Gospel Simplicity are so cool.
I like using the NLT in conjunction with the KJV and ESV. It's helped me in spots where I've found the language or meaning a little more daunting.
Every translation has its advantages and its disadvantages. I think we should pick a few translations from different approaches of translation and read them all.
That being said, I believe who wants to know what the original says needs to learn Greek or hebrew.
Even a word for word translation can't tell what the original says, because there's time gap and the languages are too different. Sometimes a word in language can't be translated in only one word in other translation. And this is occurs even today, in modern languages.
The NLT is a great Reading Bible - The other translations you mention are better used for Bible study. I love the NLT but you're correct, there are issues, and that's why you should study with other translations, and I got saved in 1980 so I'm not a new Christian.
My top favorite translation along with the LSB.
You quoted from an older version of the NLT for John 3:16, so your video quote is skewed. The first part of JOHN 3:16 reads “For this is how God loved the world....” from the current 2015 NLT update. Thanks for listening.
I have used NLT, NIV, CSB, KJV, NKJV & ESV. I always come back to the NLT. I often use the audio settings on YouVersion when I am working or busy around the house- I always come back to NLT because it simply flows beautifully. I actually can visualize what is happening. To me, I'd. rather understand the book I am studying in its entirety rather than reading or listening to clunky wording. NLT does a remarkable job of just flowing elegantly.
Thank you for your observations on the NLT translation. During regular bible study I tend to read more literal translations like the ESV, CSB, NKJV, NASB, and NIV. That said, for casual reading I enjoy reading the NLT.
I love the NLT. It serves a good purpose. I love referring to it while I'm studying my NKJV.
Disclaimer: I have not read the NLT.
This was so helpful, thank you. I realize now that I had the NLT confused with The Living Bible, which I knew was a paraphrase. (That always makes me nervous. I don't need to hear what YOU "think" it means. I want to know what the words are, in the most accurate form they can be translated.)
They updated it in 2015 as well, and the information I received was that it was based on the Bishops in India who contacted them, and now the Protestant/Evangelical and Catholic versions are identical except for the Deutercanon.
Back in the 70s, i did like the Living Translation, but it had accuracy issues! I was really glad when the NLT came out. A translation can be accurate AND understandable.
NLT is my new favorite for listening on audio. It is digestable without getting dry. KJV is still the best for when I want to take my time reading and NASB for really digging into the context and translation decisions.
I may have to give THIS another LOOK.
THANKS
I was using a Spanish bible (RV60) when I was saved in the 2000s. When going to Bible studies, NLT (1st edition) was noticiable different to me, so unfortunately I distrusted it. I just recently looked up John 3:16 and the newer NLT editions corrected the 'loved the world so much' to 'this is how God loved the world'. I am very glad the newer editions are fixing their interpretation. I just got a NLT, hopefully I learn to like it.
My nlt is in Eng and Spanish. Nlt/ntv love it.
Thank you! I was just thinking out the NLT when your video popped up!
NLT can be useful too for anyone who thinks he or she understands everything in the Bible after reading KJV, NKJV or ESV.
I've always liked how the NLT renders the amount of money in Jesus's parable about the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18. For the first servant, the NLT says he owed the master "millions of dollars," while the other servant owed that servant "a few thousand dollars."
By comparison, the first servant owed 10,000 talents, more than double Herod the Great's annual tax revenue which was 800 talents, and would have been 100 million days wages, or 275 thousand years of work to pay off. An even closer paraphrase to shock modern readers like the original audience would be to say the first servant owed the entirety of the US National Debt. Jesus was clearly using a hyperbolic number to drive his point home about God's grace, and therefore, I see no problem with translations paraphrasing it like the NLT.
🤣👍
Did you know there is a university called Northeastern? It is in Boston, and I by chance walked onto campus a few years ago while touring Boston. I am glad your sweatshirt clarifies , NORTHEASTERN Baptist College.
English is my second language im not that good at english, my main bible is a diglot one deep tagalog and KJV a deep english.. but now I ordered NLT so that I can understand better.. my english teacher also said to learn english I must always read english books.. so I will read bible in english translation, I want to improve my english 😁
For an ESL learning, I think NLT is a very good choice
I really think that the NASB does give a very readable text especially in the 2020 Edition.
FWIW: I think the weakest link in the NLT is rendering Old Testament Hebrew Poetry into English. Otherwise it is the version I turn to when Scripture seems “dense.” I prefer the ESV, CSV and the NET for deep Bible study. MikeinMinnesota
Regarding John 3:16 I’m not sure what text version your using but in my 2015 edition it states “For this is how God loved the world” in John 3:16 and what you stated is in the footnote. I like the NLT personally. I wouldn’t make any points with it but I use it along side my NASB and LSB. It serves as a great aid with those versions.
I've noticed that some folks when referring to the NLT are not using the 2015 update .
Thanks for this analysis
I’m generally not an NLT guy, but I really like the audio version of OT prophets in YouVersion.
As a person who “grew up on” on a very literal word-for-word translation, I was very skeptical about a translation with a thought-for-thought approach. The NLT has won me over. Let me provide an example why - Matthew 5:3 is a notoriously difficult to translate verse. Most translate “poor in spirit” without explaining the outcome to which what that spiritual poverty leads. Other translations read “conscious of their spiritual need” which conveys the outcome without explaining what led to it. The NLT is just perfect in translating this verse as “those who are poor and realize their need for him” as the perfect balance that conveys the meaning of those beautiful words. Like any translation, it has its shortcomings, but I have yet to find a verse where the intent of conveying the original meaning did not shine through.
I finally understand what is in Romans after using NLT.
i often think for my 13 yr old daughter, whos english is her 2nd language, if it is worth to read a translation that is easier to grasp, with a simplified vocabulary in the way it is translated.
I have a hard time reading because I'm dyslexic and I am 20 years old and then NLT is by far my favorite translation
Sometimes i have to bust the NLT out just to UNDERSTAND passages. In the kjv or nasb, its sometimes very alien phrasing there. Really good for that.
I must have a more updated version of the NLT because in mine; John 3:16 says- 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.
Yes, it's been updated
I think there's no problem reading the NLT, as long as it's not the only Bible you read.
I think one could be just fine using the NLT and never read another version.
BUT I do understand your point , I think the KJV with the NLT would be a great combo. PSALMS and PROVERBS is so beautiful in the KJV and the NLT loses that IMHO.
Everybody's ear is different though so maybe I'm just old fashioned.
I love NLT can't even read the kjv
Cool video! Here a question from a Dutch: is there a version of the NLT available that uses meters, kilometers etc. instead of feet, miles?
Not that I know of. I think NLT is only printed in "American" unit editions.
@@AFrischPerspective Too bad! But thanks anyway!
I had been thinking of getting an NLT, but I have concerns about whether it adds to or takes away from God’s word. Do you have any thoughts on this?
The Bible on training wheels. I love the parallel KJV/NLT. Each helps to understand the other.
Excellently done.
A nicer commentary on the NLT pros-cons
Thank you for making this video. I read somewhere that Ken Taylor paraphrase the ASV of 1901 which resulted into the Living Bible.I bought a NLT in a used book bookstore though what I plan to buy is The Message but I realized that the NLT Bible is less expensive so I bought it instead.In my bible reading I look at how it reads after of course raading the KJV then NKJV then NASB.
The problem with the Charles Dickens comparison is that Dickens writes in English. And he was writing just 150 years ago. Not only is the Bible an entirely different language, or group of languages, it's also ancient. But in general, I agree that the weakness of the NLT is its use of modern idioms and a bit of over interpretation at times. Although I must admit that it's very readable. If you just want to sit down and read the Bible without having to study, I don't think there's a better translation out there for that purpose. I think it's good to read if you have something to refer it against.
4:48 I wish there was a modified version of this translation that used the Metric system for those of us who are not Americans...
Are there any inaccuracies in NLT ? Someone please give some examples.
Personally I use the NIV because the NLT is a bit too dynamic for me, I like to read a translation that has a balance between word for word and thought for thought. I have nothing against the NLT though, different translations work for different people.
How does NLT compare to GNB?
Rather than using KJV, NKJV or ESV with study bible and commentary to help us understand difficult verses, NLT can be understood largely without any study bible or commentary.
What is wrong being interpretative if difficult verses are interpretated correctly in NLT ?
The comparison to Dickens doesn’t work. Dickens was speaking English. The original writer of the NT were not.
Preach.
The NLT was most recently updated in 2015. That's the edition I use.
Hey Tim, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the Good News Bible/GNT. It was one of the first dynamic equivalence Bibles, but seems to be a bit more literal than the NLT for instance, and stays away from too much interpretation or 'heart language' as you mention here. Let me know what you think though. It seems somewhat popular in the UK and Australia, or was at one point.
Thanks for the suggestion!
I love Colossians 1:15-17 on the NLT
Then why are so many versus missing out of the NLT Bible compared to the New King James
I find the NLT bizarrely really hard to read, I think it’s because I was brought up with the KJV and I always feel that I am missing something. When it comes to simplifying my bible reading I would go with the NKJV, CSB, NIV.
Great video! I have never read the NLT or the CSB versions. From my research the NLT is a 6th grade reading level and the CSB is a 7th grade reading level. I cut my spiritual teeth on the KJV which is a 12th grade reading level. My goal is to read both of these versions to see how the content of thought lines up. Thanks for making this video. God bless you.
Even the new NASB went with brothers and sisters as many of the newer translations have mutually done. Not sure but it seems as if the NET was one of the first to go in that direction.
Speaking about John 3:16, The NLT 2015 is fixed to: For this is how God Loved the world.
Really? Interesting, it's somewhat similar to the message rendering.
The NLT is really easy to read and understand but there are some verses in it that I can't find, and there is some strange wording in other verses I'm not comfortable with, there's even some words missing that makes Jesus look like a sinner, so overall I eventually stopped reading it, I just wasn't comfortable. One example is a verse in my Nkjv said if you are angry with your brother without a cause then you are in danger of the judgment, the words "without a cause" is not in the NLT, that immediately stuck out to me as Jesus must be a sinner then because the Bible says in a couple of places that he was angry
I don’t agree with the idea that NLT is meant for people who find difficult to read word for word type of translations, because the translators of the NLT are the scholars who are quite familiar with KJV, NKJV or NASB. In fact they are scholars of biblical Greek and Hebrew languages which are a dream for you and me. Therefore, A Frisch Perspective review of NLT is not really touching the point.
Just imagine complaining that a Bible is too easy to read!
I'm getting myself ready to purchase my First Bible ever. I've been a Christian since I was young, now getting ready to turn 49 I'm trying to get closer to God & becoming a better person spiritually and overall. I've had trouble with reading comprehension since I could remember, but I don't want that to stop me from reading the bible. In the past reading the bible most likely the KJV I was always like "Wait what?" not understanding a thing i might have read. My church family suggested the Life Application Study Bible because It breaks things down and explains them in way to better understand. My issue is, which version do i get, which led me to searching "explain new living translation bible" and here i am. Would you also recommend NLV of this study bible for a more or less first time reader with comprehension issues or another version. Any advice or opinions are appreciated. God Bless and Thanks in advance.
Yes, I believe the NLT Life Application would be helpful to you. Email me at afrischperspective@gmail.com, and I have one that I could send to you if you have not already purchased one. God bless!
Love the video. I love the nlt for putting the Bible in plain English and trying to be accurate. My nlt is in English and Spanish. Can’t go wrong, Two very popular languages and the Bible in very understandable reading. I could reach millions. Yikes. I didn’t like how the nlt added all the interpretations at the end of Ephesians 2:11
I have two, NIV women, and Chronological NLT Study Bible
Honestly... I don’t wznt Scripturd to sound like my everyday language. I read the NKJV, the RSV:CE, snd the ESV. None of the translations are hard to understand.. but the hsve that besutiful Biblical sound.
I don’t mind thst once in a while I have to think a little bit...
I do think this kind of translation is hflpguo Shan working with children...and narrative reading might be a good use of the NLY..
Sometimes these translations are helpful like for people like me who are studying english, because it is not my mother tongue.
You are entirely mistaken in the 8 minute period. A translation, by virtue of being a translation is not going to word things they "way they heard it' in ancient times. Your Dickens analogy is weak because in that case he wrote in 19th century English. And to argue for an update into 21 century English for that novelist is worlds away from Hebrew and Greek put into modern English. Another thing, all translation involves interpretation all the time. It's unavoidable. Interpretive decisions must be made throughout the translating process.
I agree. Every translation is a commentary, communicating the translator’s understanding of what was being said in the original.
@@sueregan2782 No, a commentary will add things. A translation should be faithful to the original languages. Commentaries should not be in the text; it should be put in the footnotes, if at all.
You beat me to the punch ... by about a year.
While I think the NLT is better than no Bible at all, I am consistently surprised by the popularity of this translation. Not only is it way too close to a paraphrase--is "translation" truly accurate?--but the contemporary language is off-putting. A lot of people clearly love it though.
One has to do their homework and find out where the Bible came from and who wrote it.
Hi Tim, this is Yoshi, I really want that Bible NKJV for this month’s giveaway. I sent you a fee emails. Ty for considering me
Is it better suited to read the OT rather than the NT?
Yes. The hebrew scriptures are written at a higher reading Level than the New Testament.
It's much more enjoyable in the history parts of the OT.
@@konstantinallinforchrist9867 thank you for the info. I appreciate it.
@@MrLeer294 You're welcome!
Superlative
I think NIrV translation is better. Easier to read and it does not interpret that much. The flow of each paragraph is much better. Psalms, Job and the prophets are beautiful to read.