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The word ‘Bible’ has been derived from the Latin word ‘biblia’, which means ‘books’.

• The Bible is a collection of writings, comprising of the Old and New Testaments, which are considered sacred by the Jewish and the Christian religions.

• Written over 1500 year span (from 1400 B.C to A.D. 100)

• over 40 generations• over 40 authors from many

walks of life (i.e. - kings, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, poets, statesmen, scholars)

• in different places (i.e. - wilderness, dungeon, palaces)

• at different times (i.e. - war, peace)

• in different moods (i.e. - heights of joy, depths of despair)

• on three continents (Asia, Africa, and Europe)

• in three languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek

• The Bible has been translated, in whole or in part, into more than 1,100 languages and dialects.

• The Bible is not just one book, but a whole collection! There are 66 books split into two sections. 39 in the first largest part, called the OLD TESTAMENT. And the second part, the NEW TESTAMENT has 27.

• covers a sweep of history, from the creation of the world, to about 400 BC. Its books include poetry and history, prophecy and law. But they all tell the story of God's troubled relationship with his people.

The Old Testament has 17 Historical

• 5 Poetical

• 17 Prophetic books in it.

• Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.

• Job

• Psalms

• Proverbs

• Ecclesiastes

• Song of Solomon

• Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

• also called the 'Injil' in part of the world, covers the amazing life of Jesus, and what followed on. There are four accounts of Jesus' life, called the 'Gospels', written by those who knew Him. Then, in the book called 'Acts' there is the story of how His followers carried His message around the world. Letters to Christian groups follow, many of them written from prison. Finally, some amazing, often frightening, predictions about the end of the world. And the start of something better.

The New Testament has 4 GospelsActs21 EpistlesRevelation

•Matthew

•Mark

•Luke

•John

• Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude.

• Amplified Bible (1987)

Word translation. The meanings of passages are

expanded with brief in-line notes. Large print

available.

Contemporary English Version (CEV)1995

Written in basic English, for young readers or

adults with restricted reading skills. Reads well

out loud.

• English Standard Version (2001) Stresses "accuracy, simplicity, dignity and beautyof language..."

Good News Translation (GNT) (1976)Revised 1990. a.k.a. Today's English Version andGood News Bible. Simple to read. Uses a limitedvocabulary. Has many illustrations.

God's Word Bible (1995) Uses contemporary English expressions. Large,diverse group of translators.

King James Version (KJV) (1611)Second most popular version for pastors.

Language may be difficult to follow for some.

New American Bible (NAB) (1970) Written in basic English. Includes Apocrypha books. Available in large print.

New American Standard (NASB) (1995) Update of the American Standard Version;

Formal translation; "Accurate"

New Century Version (NCV) (1987)

Some paraphrasing used. "Easy to

understand." Jesus' words in red.

New English Translation Available in printed form and online. Can be downloaded free. See:  http://www.bible.org/ Has

extensive notes.

New International Version (1978) Most popular version. "Smooth reading." "Reliable

and responsible translation"

New Jerusalem Bible (1986) First modern Catholic translation. Includes

Apocrypha books. "Accessible language."

New King James Version (NKJV) (1982) The KJV, but with modern words substituted where the original words have changed

meaning.

New Living Translation (NLT) (1996) Updated version of the paraphrasing Living Bible. Words of Jesus in red. Available in large print. "Wonderful flow“

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) (1990)Modern version of the KJV. Dignified language. Includes the Apocrypha 

The Message (1995) New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. "Earthy,"

"Vivid idiom"

Today's English Version (TEV) Renamed Good News Translation.

Today's  New International Version (TNIV)An update to the New International Version. About 7% of the text is changed.

Transparent English Version A translation that tries to allow the reader to "peer through" the English translation and to "see, hear and even feel the dynamics of the original text"

1549-51Two Volume Erasmus New Testament English

Paraphrase

1550 Stephanus Greek New Testament

1561 Great Bible 3 Volume Small Quarto

1568 Bishop's Bible: First Edition

1582/1610 Douay-Rheims Old & New Testament Set: Three Volumes

1583 Geneva Bible: Giant Pulpit Folio

1657 Six-Volume Walton Polyglot

1799-1800 Giant Macklin Bible Set

300 to 400 Year-Old Biblical Scrolls

1616 King James FolioThe First King James Lecturn Bible

1572 Planton Polyglot Hebrew/Latin Old Testament & Greek/Latin New

Testament