The New Living Translation

A Presentation by Hillary B. Kimsey

Introduction to the NLT(according to the NLT)● Goal: Contemporary English Translation● First published in 1996; second edition in

2004, revision in 2007● Dynamic-equivalence or thought-for-

thought translation● Written to be read aloud

Translation used in the NLT● Old Testament translators used the Masoretic Text and

referred to other sources (Vulgate, Septuagint, Dead Sea Scrolls, etc)

● New Testament translators used United Bible Society’s Greek New Testament as well as Nestle and Alan’s Novum Testamentum Graece.

● NLT strives for gender neutral language for humanity but purposely retains masculine language for God.

Translation, cont’d● Modern measurement conversion● Clearer currency translation (“normal daily wage” is

used rather than “denarius”) or amounts are given in measurements of precious metal

● Modern months and times are substituted with notes.● Cultural phrases are translated dynamically for

connotation (“beating their breasts” translated as “in great sorrow”)

● Metaphors and similes are explained and expanded(http://www.newlivingtranslation.com/05discoverthenlt/nltintro.asp)

Why Create the NLT?● To revise The Living Bible with a greater emphasis on

translation rather than paraphrase. To offer a loyal “dynamic equivalence” translation.

● Because of this goal, some argue that the NLT is not a new translation but merely a revision of a previous one. On the NLT website, however, translators attest to referring to texts in the original language.

Praise for the NLT● Offers a readable and aurally-appealing

version that still translated with a high level of scholarship

● Modernization of measurements removes initial confusion

● Offers new, creative, and eloquent renderings

Praises● Much better than the Living Bible, which did not even refer to the original

manuscripts in the ancient language.● Names of revisers were a “viritual Who’s Who of evangelical OT

scholarship”● Many of the mistakes and anachronisms of the Living Bible are fixed

(Psalm 119’s flashlight!)● More up to date with modern scholarship (the Living Bible stated that

Ecclesiastes was written by “Solomon of Jerusalem, King David’s Son”; Living Bible also named male voice in Song of Songs “Solomon”; includes some scholarly footnotes not included in the conservative NIV)

Sprinkle, Joe M. 1997. "Holy Bible: New Living Translation." Journal Of The Evangelical Theological Society 40, no. 3: 455-459. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost (accessed April 10, 2014).

Criticism● According to Mark R. Norton: “We do not suppose that Taylor or the NLT

revisers of his work consciously chose to inject their theology into the version. Nor do we doubt that they sincerely wished to make the Bible easy to understand. We prefer to say that, under the license of "dynamic equivalence," they have failed to practice self-restraint, and have ended up presenting their own theological notions as the inspired word of God.”

● “There may be a place for this version in the education of children, but we conclude that it is not suitable for use by adults in the Church. The version carries over too much of the unsound paraphrasing of the Living Bible.”

http://www.bible-researcher.com/nlt.html#brief ---> Critical review by Norton

Criticisms● According to Joe Sprinkle, the NLT’s efforts (inconsistent

though they are) to revise for gender-neutral language are “both understandable and regrettable”....

● The NLT, in it’s quest for modern language and emotional renderings, sometimes strays too far, to where the original thought is skewed.

●

“Meddlesome Interpretations”

Literal translationJudge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you give you will be judged.

New Living TranslationStop judging others, and you will not be

judged. For others will treat you as you treat them.

These are apparently designed to prevent the reader from misunderstanding the text where a literal rendering would leave room from misinterpretation, but in many cases they are more meddlesome than helpful. For example, Matthew 7:1-2.

Mark R Norton at http://www.bible-researcher.com/nlt.html#brief

Does this matter? (Maybe...)● Published by Tyndale House Press, who

claim that the NLT is a “easy to understand” and “relevant to today.”

● Tyndale initially printed 950,000 copies and dedicated $2.5 million dollars to print and web promotion of the new and revised NLT.

The Translators● 90 scholars● Conservative, Evangelical, and Protestant● Primarily North American with a small number British

and Australian contributors● Divided into committees of three scholars per book of

the Bible● “aimed at a higher reading level than the NCV or CEV”

Gilmore, Concise Dictionary of Bible Origins and Interpretations, page 138

The Revision● In 2004, Tyndale put out a revised edition of the NLT

which was much more literal than the original version. ● Our previous critic, Mark R. Norton, notes that many of

his objections were fixed in the new version. ● Many viewed the revision as positive, and popularity has

increased.● This version is now the base translation for the

Cornerstone Biblical Commentary series(http://www.bible-researcher.com/nlt.html) (http://biblestudymagazine.com/preview/NLTreview.pdf)

Familiar Verses, (revised) NLT styleJohn 3:16: For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7: 4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Micah 6:8: No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

and this is what he requires of you: do not depend on your own understanding.

to do what is right, to love mercy, 6 Seek his will in all you do,

and to walk humbly with your God. and he will show you which path to take.

Conclusions● The NLT began as a conservative endeavor and became

more literal (and thus, more popular) with its revision.● The NLT is an enjoyable and legitimate secondary or

devotional translation--readable and often poetic -- but perhaps not suited for advanced language study.

● According to Sprinkle, NLT is “a serious and legitimate translation worthy of consulting alongside others in our attempt to ascertain the meaning”.... “but too paraphrastic.”

BibliographyGilmore, Alec. A Concise Dictionary of Bible Origins and Interpretation. London: T & T Clark, 2006. 138. Print.

"New Living Translation™: Discover The NLT." New Living Translation™: Discover The NLT - Endorsements. Tyndale

Publishion, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. <http://www.newlivingtranslation.com/05discoverthenlt/nltintro.asp>.

Norton, Mark R., Ed. "The New Living Translation (1996)." The New Living Translation. Bible Researcher, June 2005. Web. 10

Apr. 2014. <http://www.bible-researcher.com/nlt.html>.

Sprinkle, Joe M. 1997. "Holy Bible: New Living Translation." Journal Of The Evangelical Theological Society 40, no. 3: 455-459.

ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost (accessed April 10, 2014).

Tyndale Publishing. Shelf Life: New Living Translation Study Bible. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2-14. <http://biblestudymagazine.

com/preview/NLTreview.pdf>.