A while back I was contacted by a very nice individual from Thomas Nelson asking me if I would be interested in being a reviewer for them. I said yes, because I was already reading lots of books published by them. Then I was asked if I would be interested in reading the latest translation of the Bible, called The Voice. I jumped at the chance, and I love it!!
I asked you guys to give me your favorite scriptures so I could compare the different translations. Then, I got busy working on them and realized that you aren't going to be able to tell a whole lot by this comparison. In fact, the best way for you to understand how this translation is different is to look at it. To read it. I will do my best to explain it to you here and now, but feel free to go pick one up and just browse through it.
The Voice identifies the speakers within the stories. This format helps readers understand quickly who the characters are and what the relationships are between them. These identifications also provide natural divisions for group readings of Scripture. (pg xi, The Voice) It reads like a script, and instead of trying to figure out who said what, it is written out for you.
There are also notes throughout that emphasize the meaning of the original language that might not be apparent in a strict translation. Then, there are also footnotes that give the literal meanings, actual Greek and Hebrew wording, reasoning for specific translations, and technical information about the passage. (pg xi, The Voice)Click here to look inside The Voice.
Here are a few of your favorite scriptures, and next Sunday I will most some more. :)
Kim Armstrong – 1 John 3:18 – Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
The Voice – My little children, don’t just talk about love as an idea or a theory. Make it your true way of like, and live in the pattern of gracious love.
Lynda – Isaiah 41:10 – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
The Voice - So don’t be afraid. I am here, with you; don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, help you. I am here with My right hand to make right and to hold you up.
Laura – Psalm 23 – The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
The Voice – The Eternal is my shepherd, He cares for me always. He provides me rest in rich, green fields beside streams of refreshing water. He soothes my fears; He makes me whole again, steering me off worn, hard paths to roads where truth and righteousness echo His name.
Even in the unending shadows of death’s darkness, I am not overcome by fear. Because You are with me in those dark moments, near with Your protection and guidance, I am comforted.
You spread out a table before me, provisions in the midst of attack from my enemies; You care for all my needs, anointing my head with soothing, fragrant oil, filling my cup again and again with Your grace.
Certainly Your faithful protection and loving provision will pursue me where I go, always, everywhere. I will always be with the Eternal, in Your house forever.
Judes – Zephaniah 3:17 – The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
The Voice – The Eternal your God is standing right here among you, and He is the champion who will rescue you. He will joyfully celebrate over you; He will rest in His love for you; He will joyfully sing because of you like a new husband.
Stefanie – Ecclesiastes 3:1-9 (KJV) – To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
The Voice – For everything that happens in life – there is a season, a right time for everything under heaven:
A time to be born, a time to die; a time to plant, a time to collect the harvest;
A time to kill, a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build up;
A time to cry, a time to laugh; a time to mourn, a time to dance;
A time to scatter stones, a time to pile them up; a time for a warm embrace, a time for keeping your distance;
A time to search, a time to give up as lost; a time to keep, a time to throw out;
A time to tear apart, a time to bind together; a time to be quiet, a time to speak up;
A time to love, a time to hate; a time to go to war, a time to make peace.
What good comes to anyone who works so hard, all to gain a few possessions?
Rebecca – 1 John 4:10-11, 16-18 – This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
The Voice – This is the embodiment of true love: not that we have loved God first, but that he loved us and send His unique Son on a special mission to become an atoning sacrifice for our sins. So, my loved ones, if God loved us so sacrificially, surely we should love one another. God is love. Anyone who lives faithfully in love also lives faithfully in Him. This love is fulfilled with us, so that on the day of judgment we have confidence based on our identification with Jesus in this world. Love will never invoke fear. Perfect love expels fear, particularly the fear of punishment. The one who fears punishment has not been completed through love.
