The New Testament For Everyone – Review

The New Testament For Everyone A Fresh Translation by N. T. Wright is a newly typeset edition that builds on N. T. Wright’s The Kingdom New Testament. This is the third edition and includes some translation revisions, book introductions, and maps throughout the text. It’s designed for the everyday reader. This is a hardcover edition, ISBN: 9780310463443, printed in India.

Zondervan provided this Bible in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review, only an honest one. All opinions are my own.

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This Bible is available at (includes some affiliate links)

Amazon

Christianbook

and many local Bible bookstores

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Table of Contents

1. Translation
2. Materials and Construction
3. Typography and Layout
4. Book Introductions
5. In-Text Maps
6. Glossary
7. Conclusion

Translation

This New Testament was translated by N. T. Wright. This is a dynamic translation that focuses on the meaning of the text with the modern reader in mind. It was written for scholars, pastors, and laypeople. The text flows well, and I do find it to be easy to read. It shares similarities with the ESV, NASB, NRSV, and others, while also providing something unique of its own. I’m probably oversimplifying it, but the goal seems to make those translations more readable. It’s a minor revision of the previous edition. One prominent change is translating Christos as Messiah rather than King in Paul’s letters.

Here are my thoughts on a few points and verses:

• It uses the Critical Text as its basis.
• The text doesn’t include footnotes.
• It uses lowercase letters for the pronouns of God.
• It inserts phrases, such as “he said to them”, within a sentence. This makes it feel more like a novel.
• Contractions are used to make it seem more like a novel.
• It takes a conversational approach.
• The ending of Mark indicates there are two extra endings. The shorter summary is given first. Both are in double brackets.
• John 1:1 is a little awkward, stating “the Word was close beside God”. This can imply tritheism.
• John 1:18 uses “only begotten God”, following the 95 NASB.
• Acts 2:38 includes “every single one of you” to show a change from plural to singular.
• Acts 16:14 uses “opened her heart to pay attention”, following the ESV, NRSV, etc.
• 1 Corinthians 14:33-34 places the end of 33 with 34, following the NASB, ESV, NRSV, etc.

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Materials and Construction

This is a hardcover edition with a cardboard slipcase. The dark blue cover matches the slipcase except for the back cover, which has a pattern that matches the front. The liner is gold paper. It looks great and feels durable. The block is sewn and has no trouble staying open to any page.

I’m not sure of the GSM of the paper, but I’d guess it to be around 30. It’s white in color and highly opaque. It’s smooth but has just enough roughness to be easy to turn. The page edges are white.

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Typography and Layout

The text is presented in a single-column layout with poetry set to stanzas. It does not include formatting for letters or Old Testament quotes. Maps are placed within the text. Book names with the chapter and verse numbers appear vertically at the top of the text. Page numbers appear horizontally in the outer margin next to the last verse on the page. The outer margin is 1 3/8″. All of the highlights, such as section headings and chapter numbers, are in a dark greenish-blue. Chapter numbers are used as the drop caps and they take three lines. Text that many scholars are unsure of, such as the ending of Mark, is placed within brackets.

The typeface is 11-point, black letter. It’s dark and consistent throughout. It has around 12 words per line and enough white space to make the text comfortable to read. Many pages seem to have been printed with line matching, meaning the lines are in the same place on both sides of the page. There are some pages where the lines don’t match that well, though. Where they match it does improve readability.

I found the text a joy to read. The line spacing, white space, word count, and page contrast are ideal for long periods of reading.

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Book Introductions

Book introductions take a page or two and provide an excellent description of the purpose of the book. They’re written in a conversational format and discuss the main characters and events, and their impact. They include a lot of historical information. Some provide detailed descriptions in sections, with a range of references for each section. Rather than just providing facts, they almost have a devotional quality.

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In-Text Maps

There are 39 Maps placed within the text, near the verses they correspond to. They’re printed in different shades of green with clean lines and lots of white space. They’re uncluttered, which helps focus on specific locations. They show distance, water, land, and the relevant locations. They also include Scripture references. The maps are simple and elegant. I find them easy to use.

There’s an index in the front so you can find them easily. Most are named with references, but a few are named by a description. It shows the page number for each map.

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Glossary

The glossary is 11 pages. It covers common words in the Bible and includes detailed information about each one. They include information about Jewish traditions, Scripture references, Hebrew and Greek words, history, and even a mention of the Dead Sea Scrolls. This is a short glossary, but it does include a lot of detail, making it excellent for study.

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Conclusion

The New Testament For Everyone by N. T. Wright is an interesting New Testament. It’s designed and made well. The size is excellent for reading, and it was fun to read. I’d like to see a ribbon added to help keep your place when reading. Any nuances in the translation lean toward the ESV, NRSV, or NASB, but the readability is much less technical and a lot more dynamic and conversational. Since it doesn’t include the Old Testament, I can’t recommend it as your only Bible, but it is worth reading.

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_________________________________________________________

This Bible is available at (includes some affiliate links)

Amazon

Christianbook

and many local Bible bookstores

_________________________________________________________

 

Zondervan provided this Bible in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review, only an honest one. All opinions are my own.