The New Living Translation (NLT) of the Bible aims to communicate and convey the ancient manuscripts of the Bible into a reliable fresh “living” translation for people who seek a natural easy read. The NLT translation committee went about their task with the dual purpose of being faithful to the original Hebrew and Greek language while bringing it to the English language in a very readable and understanding way. The NLT gives us solid scholarship in contemporary language which anyone can pick up and understand.

Tyndale House, the publisher who owns the copywrite and rights to the New Living Translation, sought to provide a version of the Bible which could be read and used by every member of the family.  Thus, the NLT’s language is down-to-earth and appropriate for all ages.  This makes the NLT a wonderful choice for families looking to use one Bible rather than rely on children’s Bibles, or try and rephrase things from a different version.  The NLT’s combination of biblical accuracy and reading clarity provides readers with a positive experience of the Bible.

The NLT is a Bible version that works well for readers of all ages.

Using “Bob’s 5 Bark Review System” we share our insights  on the New Living Translation of the Bible:

1. Trustworthy

The New Living Translation originally began as an update to the successful Living Bible which was not a translation from the original Scripture manuscripts.  But the work morphed into a full-fledged translation with a committee of 90+ scholars.  Tyndale House Publishers have been in existence since 1962 and have established themselves as a leading publisher of Christian books and Bibles, seeking to meet the spiritual needs of people through trusted biblical literature.

Bob gives the trustworthiness of the NLT a good “bark.”

2. Understandable

The NLT is very understandable.  Here is Psalm 23 in NLT language:

“The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
² He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
³     He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
⁴ Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
⁵ You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
⁶ Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.”

Bob’s getting choked-up right now with the winning language of the NLT.  He got a teary-eyed “bark” in for the NLT’s understandable language.

3. Readable

Since the NLT comes in all shapes and sizes for all kinds of different people and situations, you’re likely to find a Bible which reads smoothly without straining your eyes.  Since the Bible is such a big book, its tempting for publishers to cut corners on the font size of the words and the page stock (thickness).  But it’s evident Tyndale seeks to get a good product into the hands of people seeking a good Bible.  Inexpensive NLT Bibles aren’t going to have the same quality as more expensive Bibles, but whichever you choose, any NLT Bible will be a good choice, depending on whether you use it every day, or not.

Bob endorses the readability of the NLT with a “bark.”

4. Durable

At our house, we can be hard on books.  When we read it’s a full workout for the book – bending the spine, writing in it, going back and forth between pages – and her NLT Bible has stood the test.

Bob gives a “bark” for NLT Bibles’ durability.

5. Attractive

The NLT is a captivating Bible translation.  My wife has a NLT Coloring Bible and loves it.  An extra bonus is that Bob likes the smell of color pencils.

Bob is all about being attractive, so he gives give the NLT a “bark” for attractiveness.

 

“Bob’s 5 Bark Bible Review” gives the New Living Translation version of the Bible:

5 out of 5 Barks

Congratulations, NLT.  You won Bob over.