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 12:13-17:
Some theologians and politicians got together
and sent a committee to trick Jesus
into making a false statement.
“Teacher,” they said, “you’re absolutely honest,
you don’t show favoritism,
and you’re straight forward about God’s demands.
One small matter: Should we pay taxes to the government?”
Jesus knew what they were up to, so he replied
“Don’t try to play power politics with me!
Show me a coin of the state.”
They handed him a coin, and he asked,
“Whose face is on this coin?
What are these buildings?”
“It’s the face of our ruler,” they answered,
“and our national headquarters.”
“Then pay the government what you owe,” said Jesus,
“and give God what belongs to God.”
The entire committee stood there amazed.
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 6:25-34:
I tell you not to worry about food, drink, or clothes!
Life is more than what you eat and wear.
Birds don’t plant or harvest,
yet your Father above takes care of them,
and you are worth much more than a flock of birds.
You may think the more you worry, the longer you live.
That’s simply not so.
Why worry about what you will wear?
Even royalty looks drab beside daffodils and regal lilies,
yet God colors and clothes the wild flowers,
even though they will wither in the summer heat.
Why do you have such little faith? God will take care of you.
Worry — wearisome worry about food, drink, and clothes —
Only a heathen would nurture such worries.
Put God first in everything you do and worry no more,
then all your needs will be met.
Why worry about tomorrow? Today is worrisome enough.
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 15:1-7:
A mixed crowd — some politically incorrect
and others simply street scum —
were hanging around, listening to Jesus teach.
A group of religious snobs came up and started griping,
“This guy goes around with the wrong crowd,
and he even eats with them.”
Then Jesus told them this story:
What would you do, if you had a hundred sheep,
and one of them wandered off?
Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine out in the field
and look for the lost sheep, until you found it?
Sure you would, and you’d be so glad when it was found
that you’d throw it on your shoulder and carry it home.
Then you’d say to your friends, “Let’s celebrate!
I’ve found my lost sheep.”
“That’s how it is with God,” declared Jesus.
“God gets more excited over one person
who has a change of heart
than over ninety-nine self-righteous bigots.”
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 1:12-13:
At the impulse of God’s Spirit,
Jesus headed into the desert.
For forty days and forty nights, Satan put him to the test,
while Jesus lived among the wild animals
and was watched over by angels.
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 22:66-71:
At dawn the politicians, priests, and professors of religion
called a meeting and had Jesus brought in for questioning.
“Are you God’s Chosen One?” they demanded.
“If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me,” replied Jesus.
“And if I asked you a question, you wouldn’t answer.
Soon, however, you’ll see me
at the right side of God All-Powerful.”
“Are you the Son of God?” was their next question.
“You say I am,” answered Jesus.
“He’s said enough to hang himself!” they judged.
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 5:17-20:
Don’t dream that I came to do away with your precious Bible!
I came to give full meaning to its every word
and make everything happen, just as it says.
Fact is, before even a syllable is erased from the Bible,
heaven and earth will have to first disappear.
So if you want an important place with the Great Rewarder,
obey and teach others to obey the Bible’s every teaching.
Otherwise, you’ll have no standing within the Kingdom.
Do better than those self-righteous, religious snobs,
or you’ll be snubbed by the Great Rewarder!
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 12:28-34:
Jesus had just frustrated a group of theologians,
when a noted biblical scholar asked him,
“What’s the most important teaching in the Bible?”
Jesus answered, “The Bible itself says,
Love God with all your heart!
And the Bible also says,
Love others as much as you love yourself!
No teachings are more important than these.”
“Teacher,” answered the man, “you’re certainly right.
We must love the one and only God with all our heart,
and love others as much as we love ourselves.
To obey these two commands is more important
than offering all kinds of gifts to God.”
Jesus realized the depth of the man’s answer and said,
“You already have one foot in the Ultimate Kingdom.”
After this, no one dared put Jesus to the test.
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 7:1-6:
Condemn others, and God will condemn you.
God will be as hard on you, as you are on others.
Do you know someone with a sin the size of a speck?
If your sin is as large as a log, you’d better roll it away first,
before you attempt to wipe away that tiny speck.
Otherwise, you’re a first-class hypocrite.
Don’t share what is sacred with wild dogs!
They’ll turn and attack.
Don’t decorate pigs with earrings of pearls!
They’ll trample those pearls in the mud.
