Barclay Newman, a translator on the teams for both the Good News Bible and the Contemporary English Version, translated passages of the New Testament into English and published them in 2014, “in a publication brief enough to be non-threatening, yet long enough to be taken seriously, and interesting enough to appeal to believers and un-believers alike.” The following is the translation of Luke 23:6-12:
Galilee was the magic word,
and since Herod was governor of Galilee,
Pilate decided to send Jesus to Herod,
who was in Jerusalem at the time.
For some while, Herod had wanted to meet Jesus,
and he was really pleased to have this chance.
Maybe Jesus would even work a miracle for him!
Herod questioned Jesus intensely,
but received no answers.
So the priests and professors of religion arose,
accusing Jesus of all kinds of crimes.
Herod and his soldiers made insulting remarks against Jesus,
then placed an expensive robe on him
and sent him back to Pilate.
Although Herod and Pilate
had formerly been fierce enemies,
they now became very good friends.
Barclay Newman, a translator on the teams for both the Good News Bible and the Contemporary English Version, translated passages of the New Testament into English and published them in 2014, “in a publication brief enough to be non-threatening, yet long enough to be taken seriously, and interesting enough to appeal to believers and un-believers alike.” The following is the translation of Matthew 5:27-32:
The Bible says, “Be faithful in marriage.”
But I tell you to rid your mind of those lustful thoughts
that entice you to become unfaithful.
Poke out your staring eye and chop off your grabby hand —
better this, than for your whole body to burn in hell!
Thinking about divorce, just because it’s legal? Forget it!
Shy away from divorce, except as a last recourse,
and then only if your spouse has been terribly unfaithful.
When you divorce, you declare your partner an adulterer,
as well as anyone who marries your ex.
Barclay Newman, a translator on the teams for both the Good News Bible and the Contemporary English Version, translated passages of the New Testament into English and published them in 2014, “in a publication brief enough to be non-threatening, yet long enough to be taken seriously, and interesting enough to appeal to believers and un-believers alike.” The following is the translation of Luke 2:41-52:
Every year Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem for Passover,
and when Jesus was twelve, they went there as usual.
After Passover, his parents left,
not knowing Jesus had stayed on in the city.
They thought he was traveling with friends,
and they went a whole day before looking for him.
When they could not find Jesus with relatives or friends,
they returned to Jerusalem and for three days
anxiously searched everywhere.
Finally, they found Jesus in the temple,
listening to the teachers, asking them questions,
and surprising everyone by his wisdom and knowledge.
“Son, why have you done this to us?” asked his mother.
“Your father and I’ve been frantically searching for you.”
“Why did you have to search for me?” questioned Jesus.
“Didn’t you know I’d be here in my Father’s house?”
But they didn’t understand what he meant.
Jesus returned home to Nazareth with his parents,
and was always obedient to them.
But his mother never stopped thinking about all of this.
As Jesus grew up, he grew wiser and stronger —
so much so that God and people were pleased with him.
Barclay Newman, a translator on the teams for both the Good News Bible and the Contemporary English Version, translated passages of the New Testament into English and published them in 2014, “in a publication brief enough to be non-threatening, yet long enough to be taken seriously, and interesting enough to appeal to believers and un-believers alike.” The following is the translation of Matthew 7:13-20:
The road to the not-so-narrow gate leads to destruction,
but it’s wide, and many follow that road.
The road to the narrow gate leads to life,
but it’s hard to follow, and is found by only a few.
Struggle to enter this gate, no matter what!
Barclay Newman, a translator on the teams for both the Good News Bible and the Contemporary English Version, translated passages of the New Testament into English and published them in 2014, “in a publication brief enough to be non-threatening, yet long enough to be taken seriously, and interesting enough to appeal to believers and un-believers alike.” The following is the translation of Luke 19:1-10:
Zacchaeus lived in Jericho and was rich — yet he was hated,
because he collected taxes for the Roman authorities.
Somehow Zacchaeus found out
that Jesus was passing through Jericho,
and he wanted to see what he was like.
Crowds covered every inch of the ground,
and since Zacchaeus was short and couldn’t see the road,
he climbed up a big tree and waited.
Jesus spotted him in the tree and shouted,
“Zacchaeus, come down! I want to visit with you today.”
Zacchaeus scampered down and greeted Jesus with a smile.
But jealousy took control of the crowds, and they grumbled,
“This guy Zacchaeus is scum!
Is Jesus really going to eat with him?”
When Zacchaeus got up from the meal, he said to Jesus,
“Lord, I promise to give half of my property to the poor,
and to everyone I’ve ever cheated,
I’ll pay back four times as much.”
“Now you and your family are acceptable to God!” said Jesus.
“Indeed you are truly a son of your ancestor Abraham.
I came to look for and to save people that others reject.”
Barclay Newman, a translator on the teams for both the Good News Bible and the Contemporary English Version, translated passages of the New Testament into English and published them in 2014, “in a publication brief enough to be non-threatening, yet long enough to be taken seriously, and interesting enough to appeal to believers and un-believers alike.” The following is the translation of Mark 1:21-28:
Jesus and his followers went to the town of Capernaum,
and when the Sabbath rolled around,
Jesus entered the synagogue and started teaching.
Everyone was amazed at his powerful teaching —
they’d never heard anything like this.
Suddenly a demon-possessed man rushed in, shouting,
“Jesus of Nazareth, have you come here to destroy us?
I know you — you’re God’s Chosen One!”
“You demon, come out of this man!
Be silent!” shouted Jesus.
After sending the man into a convulsion,
the demon yelled and left.
Barclay Newman, a translator on the teams for both the Good News Bible and the Contemporary English Version, translated passages of the New Testament into English and published them in 2014, “in a publication brief enough to be non-threatening, yet long enough to be taken seriously, and interesting enough to appeal to believers and un-believers alike.” The following is the translation of Luke 23:13-25:
Pilate called together the chief priests,
the religious authorities, and all their cohorts.
Then he said:
“You brought Jesus into my court,
accusing him of being a troublemaker.
But you’re witnesses that I’ve found him innocent,
and so has Herod, who sent him back to me.
This man doesn’t deserve the death penalty.
I’ll have him beaten, then released.”
“Kill him! Set Barabbas free!” shouted the angry mob.
Now Barabbas had been in prison,
charged with terrorism and murder.
Pilate wanted to set Jesus free,
so he repeated himself to the mob.
But they shouted even louder,
“Nail him to a cross! Nail him to a cross!”
“What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate once again.
“I’ve found him guilty of nothing deserving death.
I’ll have him beaten and released.”
“Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!”
came the incessant cry of the crowd.
Finally, Pilate gave in to the demands of the frenzied mob.
He freed Barabbas, the terrorist and murderer,
then handed Jesus over to face certain death.
Barclay Newman, a translator on the teams for both the Good News Bible and the Contemporary English Version, translated passages of the New Testament into English and published them in 2014, “in a publication brief enough to be non-threatening, yet long enough to be taken seriously, and interesting enough to appeal to believers and un-believers alike.” The following is the translation of Matthew 5:38-42:
You know the Bible teaches revenge: “Eye for eye … tooth for tooth!”
But I tell you not to even think about getting even!
If slapped on one cheek, offer the other.
If sued for your shirt, offer your coat as well.
If oppressed, offer to do more than is required.
If asked for a loan, offer whatever you have.
