Claude Mariottini
Emeritus Professor
of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary

There is a new version of the Bible on the market (not another version!). This one is free and it is available online. James R Madsen is the translator and editor of the New Simplified Bible. This new translation of the Bible comes in three different editions:

The Jehovah Version

The New Simplified Bible Jehovah Version is an easy to read Bible Translation that faithfully presents the name Jehovah wherever the Tetragramiton YHWH is found in the Holy Scriptures. This traditional name for the Almighty God of the universe offers a rich and spiritually rewarding Bible reading experience.

The Yahwist Version

The New Simplified Bible Yahwist Version a new and exciting way to read the Holy Scriptures using words similar to the origional text. It contains a number of Hebrew words including Yahoshua in place of the English name Jesus. Words such as “shalom-peace, ahavah-love, shamayim-heaven(s) and eretz-earth. The name Yahowah is offered in representation of the Divine Name. It comes from the Tetragramiton: YHWH transliterated to YaHoWaH. A complete Hebrew Word List is provided.

The LORD Version

The New Simplified Bible LORD Version uses the title LORD where the Hebrew letters for God’s name YHWH is in the text. It is important to honor God’s divine name. However there are millions of sincere individuals who honestly don’t know His name. They only read translations that use the substitute title “the LORD.” The New Simplified Bible LORD Version uses the title LORD while injecting the most accepted names for God thru out the publication. It gives the reader an opportunity to become familiar with the Name of God. Try it…you might like it.

The translator offers a disclaimer that his translation of the Bible is not related to the Jehovah’s Witnesses work and ministry and that it is not endorsed by the Watch Tower Society:

The NSB is self-published by the translator. It is not influenced by any Christian denomination or sect. An honest attempt has been made to give you the accurate translation from the original language. The New Simplified Bible is not related to the publishing and preaching work of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It is not endorsed by the Watch Tower Society.

Although the translator makes the disclaimer that his version of the Bible is not related to the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the New Simplified Bible could be classified as “Jehovah’s Witnesses lite.” Below are two passages from the Gospel of John and the explanation offered by the NSB:

John 1:1 (from The Lord Version)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was like God.*

Note:

*1:1 Son of God like God: At John 10:33 Jesus was accused of making himself God or a god. The word used here is “theos.” It means: devine, god-like, a god, God. (God-like) (Strong’s G2316)Jesus clearly stated in reply: “Do you say you blaspheme, because I said, I am God’s Son?” He identified himself as the Son of God, not God!

John 1:18

18 No man has ever seen God. The only begotten God-like* one (G2316) who is closest to the Father (in the bosom of the Father) tells us about him. (Psalm 8:5)

Note:

*1:18 only begotten God-like one: The term “begotten God” is found only once in the Holy Scriptures at John 1:18. The phrase comes from the Greek monogenes theos, meaning only born God or god. It can also mean “born from God.” Scripture context proves that God was not begotten or born, his son was. However, because the oldest manuscripts state “monogenes theos” the proper translation must be “begotten god,” “begotten God,” or “begotten God-like one.” In keeping with the context of the entire Bible the New Simplified Bible will not call the Almighty God begotten! The context of John 1:18 shows that it is talking about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Therefore the term “God-like one” has been used.

Below are the same two passages from the Yahwist Version:

John 1:1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with the Almighty One, and theWord was like the Almighty One

John 1:18

18 No man has ever seen the Almighty One. The only brought forth-Mighty One who is closest to the Father (in the bosom of the Father) tells us about him. (Psalm 8:5)

You can read the New Simplified Bible here.

As I have said before in one or two posts, any translation of the Bible that depends on Strong’s Concordance with Hebrew and Greek Lexicon should be considered suspect. And any translation of the Bible that says that it is not endorsed by the Watch Tower Society should be rejected.

In conclusion, I cannot recommend the New Simplified Bible.

Claude Mariottini
Emeritus Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary

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