15.5 KJV New Testament and Psalms with Poems by Helen Steiner Rice

New Testament and Psalms with Poems by Helen Steiner Rice (KJV). God (and Helen Steiner Rice). 1994. (Revell publishing house). 508 pages. [Source: Bought] 5 STARS.

First sentence: The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham

I thrifted this one. I do recommend it if you come across it. The size font is lovely. It is double column. It is black letter. It features illustrated poems by Helen Steiner Rice. If you enjoy poetry, then this one has an extra devotional bonus. If you don't enjoy poetry, these sections are easy to skip over. There are a few sections where poems are grouped together. The poems are inspired by particular verses and definite themes of Scripture.

The book is larger than many New Testament only New Testaments. This is the size of a regular book, or a journal. The size font is easy on the eyes. The color is nice and dark. Nothing faint. The ghosting is minimal. What little ghosting there is, is not a distraction. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

1 (New Testament Only)

The Amplified New Testament. Lockman Foundation. God. 1958. 989 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: The book of the ancestry (genealogy) of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed, the son (descendant) of David, the son (descendant) of Abraham. [Psalm 132:11; Isaiah 11:1]

I found this [relatively] tiny New Testament in the Amplified translation at a thrift store for a few dollars. I had not read this translation before, but, was really to try out the New Testament. (Part of me wishes that I'd gone ahead to buy the two Old Testament volumes as well. They were gone the next time I went. Though they were not in great condition, so perhaps all is well after all.) 

I had heard of the Amplified translation, but, was not aware that it dates from the 1950s. It is meant to be a supplement (or help), I believe, to the King James Version of the Bible. Would this have been the Lockman Foundation's first project? I'm guessing it would have been. The New American Standard Version would be published--in the New Testament--in the 1960s and the whole Bible beginning in the 1970s. I've always had a lot of respect for the NASB. Not so much respect for the Amplified. I was under the impression that it was like the Message. (I was SO wrong). 

The Amplified translation has been updated several times. There is a "classic" version, I believe from the 1980s on several websites, and the most recent update as well under "Amplified." Both versions are different from the 1958 that I read. 

I read this translation in December of 2023 and January of 2024. It is single column, black letter. After reading this one, I have decided that I'd like to try to read the whole Bible in the Amplified translation. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

1. Wycliffe New Testament

Wycliffe New Testament 1388: An Edition in Modern Spelling, with An Introduction, The Original Prologues, and the Epistle to the Laodiceans. Anonymous Lollards. Edited by William R. Cooper. 2002. 528 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac. Isaac begat Jacob. Jacob begat Judas and his brethren.

I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Wycliffe New Testament. I believe this is the second time I've read it. I first became interested in it after Mom got a copy and started sharing portions of it with me aloud. I had a serious case of Bible envy! So I got my own copy.

I will try to share with you why I find it so charming and enjoyable.

Lo, the angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to. him and said, Joseph, the son of David, nil thou dread to take Mary, thy wife, for that thing that is born in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bear a son, and thou shall call his name Jesus, for He shall make His people safe from their sins. (Matthew 1)

Nil thou trump tofore thee as hypocrites do in synagogues and streets, that they may be worshipped of men... (Matthew 6)

Nil ye deem, that ye be not deemed. For in what doom ye deem, ye shall be deemed, and in what measure you mete, it shall be meted again to you. (Matthew 7)

All ye that travail and are charged, come to Me and I shall fulfil you. Take ye My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am mild and meek in heart, and ye shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is soft, and My charge light. (Matthew 11)

For he that highs himself shall be meeked, and he that meeks himself shall be enhanced. (Matthew 23)

And shepherds were in the same country, waking and keeping the watches of the night on their flock. And lo, the angel of the Lord stood beside them, and the clearness of God shone about them, and they they dreaded with great dread. And the angel said to them, Nil ye dread, for lo, I preach to you a great joy that shall be to all people. For a Savior is born today to you that is Christ the Lord in the city of David. And this is a token to you, ye shall find a young child lapped in cloths and laid in a cratche. (Luke 2)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was at God, and God was the Word. This was in the beginning at God. All things were made by Him, and without Him was made nothing, that thing that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in darknesses, and darknesses comprehended it not. (John 1)

For God loved so the world that He gave His one begotten Son, that each man that believes in Him perish not, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His son into the world that He judge the world, but that the world be saved by Him. He that believes in Him is not deemed. But he that believes not, is now deemed, for he believes not in the name of the one begotten Son of God. And this is the doom, for light came into the world, and men loved more darknesses than light, for their works were evil. (John 3)

Truly, truly, I say to you that he that hears My Word and believes to Him that sent Me, has everlasting life. And he comes not into doom, but passes from death into life. (John 5)

All thing that the Father gives to Me shall come to Me, and I shall cast him out that comes to Me. For I came down from heaven not that I do My will, but the will of Him that sent Me. And this is the will of the Father that sent Me, that all thing that the Father gave Me, I lose not of it, but again-raise it in the last day. And this is the will of My Father that sent Me, that each man that sees the Son and believes in Him, have everlasting life. And I shall again-raise him in that day. (John 6)

Therefore Jesus answered and said to them, Nil ye grouch together. No man may come to Me but if the Father that sent Me draw him, and I shall again-raise him in the last day. (John 6)

Jesus says to her, I am again-rising and life. He that believes in Me, yea, though he be dead, he shall live. And each that lives and believes in Me, shall not die without end. (John 11)

Be not your heart afeared, nor dread it. Ye believe in God, and believe ye in Me. In the house of My Father are many dwellings. If anything less, I had said to you, for I got to make ready to you a place. And if I go and make ready to you a place, eftsoons I come, and I shall take you to Myself, that where I am, ye are. (John 14)

In the world ye shall have disease. But trust ye, I have overcome the world. (John 16)

Hallow thou them in truth. Thy word is truth. (John 17)

Therefore when Jesus had taken the vinegar, He said, It is ended! And when His head was bowed down, He gave up the ghost. (John 19)

For all men sinned and have need to the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace, by the again-buying that is in Christ Jesus. (Romans 3)

And we wit that to men that love God, all things work together into good to them that after purpose are called saints. For the ilk that He knew before, He before ordained by grace to be made like to the image of His Son, that He be the first begotten among many brethren. And the ilk that He before ordained to bliss, them He called, and which He called, them He justified, and which He justified, and them He glorified. (Romans 8)

Oh, the highness of the richesses of the wisdom and of the kunning of God. How incomprehensible are His dooms, and His ways are unsearchable! For why, who knew the wit of the Lord, or who was His counsellor? Or who former gave to Him, and it shall be quit to him? For of Him and by Him and in Him are all things! To Him be glory into worlds. Amen! (Romans 11)

Nil ye be conformed to this world, but be ye reformed in newness of your wit, that ye prove which is the will of God, good and well-pleasing, and perfect. (Romans 12)

For when I am sick, then I am mighty. (2 Corinthians 12)

Therefore brethren, see ye how warily ye shall go, not as unwise men, but as wise men, again-buying time for the days are evil. Therefore, nil ye be made unwise, but understanding which is the will of God. (Ephesians 5)

Clothe you with the armour of God, that ye moun stand against aspyings of the devil. (Ephesians 6)

Joy ye in the Lord evermore, eft I say, joy ye. Be your patience known to all men. The Lord is nigh. Be ye nothing busy, but in all prayer and beseeching with doing of thankings, be your askings known at God. And the peace of God that passes all wit, keep your hearts and understandings in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4)

For this thing, I say, that no man deceive you in height of words. (Colossians 2)

Therefore more plenteously it behoves us to keep those things that we have heard, lest peradventure we float away. (Hebrews 2)

For the word of God is quick and speedy in working, and more able to pierce than any twain-edged sword, and stretches forth to the departing of the soul and of the spirit, and of the jointures and marrows, and deemer of thoughts and of intents and hearts. And no creature is unvisible in the sight of God. For all things are naked and open to His eyes, to whom a word to us. (Hebrews 4)

Wherefore also He may save without end, coming nigh by Himself to God and evermore lives to pray for us. (Hebrews 7)

Therefore, we that have so great a cloud of witnesses put to, do we away all charge and sin standing about us. And by patience run we to the battle purposed to us, beholding into the Maker of faith and the perfect Ender, Jesus, which, when joy was purposed to Him, He suffered the cross and despised confusion, and sits on the right half of the seat of God. (Hebrews 12)

But ye are a chosen kin, a kingly priesthood, holy folk, a people of purchasing, that ye tell the virtues of Him that called you from darkness into His wonderful light, which sometime were not a people of God. But now ye are the people of God, which had not mercy, but now ye have mercy. (1 Peter 2)

But dread ye not the dread of them, that ye be not disturbled. But hallow ye the Lord Christ in your hearts, and evermore be ye ready to satisfaction to each man asking you reason of that faith and hope that is in you. (1 Peter 3)



© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

New Testament Review: Williams (1937)

The New Testament in the Language of the People. Charles B. Williams 1937. 572 pages. [Source: Bought]

I found this New Testament at a local charity shop.

At the time it was published, the intent might have been to have a serious translation for bible study. I think time has proved it to perhaps be more of a paraphrase with devotional quality.

I have nicknamed this translation the KEEP ON translation.

• Keep on asking, and the gift will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking, and the door will open to you. Matthew 7:7
• Then Jesus said to His disciples: "If anyone wants to be my disciple, he must say 'No' to self, put his cross on his shoulders, and keep on following me. Matthew 16:24
• While he was still speaking, a bright cloud cast its shadow over them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, my Beloved, in whom I am delighted. Keep on listening to Him!" Matthew 17:5
• So keep on watching, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. Matthew 24:42
• You must keep on having salt within you, and keep on living in peace with one another." Mark 9:50
• If anyone is willing to keep on doing God's will, he will know whether my teaching comes from God, or merely expresses my own ideas. John 7:17
• Jesus said to them, "Only a little while longer you will have the light. Keep on living by it while you have the light, so that darkness may not overtake you, for whoever walks about in the dark does not know where he is going. John 12:35
• By this everybody will know that you are my disciples, if you keep on showing love for one another." John 13:35
• "Stop letting your hearts be troubled; keep on believing in God, and also in me. John 14:1
• This is my command to you, to keep on loving one another as I have loved you. John 15:12
• Up to this time you have not asked for anything as bearers of my name, but now you must keep on asking, and you will receive, that your cup of joy may be full to the brim. John 16:24
• Yes, we know that all things go on working together for the good of those who keep on loving God, who are called in accordance with God's purpose. Romans 8:28
• And yet in all these things we keep on gloriously conquering through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37
• Keep on thinking in harmony with one another. Stop being high-minded but keep on associating with lowly people. Stop being conceited. Romans 12:16
• Stop being conquered by evil, but keep on conquering evil with good. Romans 12:21
• So let us keep on pursuing the things that make for peace and our mutual upbuilding. Romans 14:19
• Keep on running from sexual immorality! Any other sin that a man commits is one outside his body, but the man who commits the sexual sin is sinning against his own body. 1 Corinthians 6:18
• Keep on pursuing love, but still keep cultivating your spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophesying. 1 Corinthians 14:1
• This is the freedom with which Christ has made us free. So keep on standing in it, and stop letting your necks be fastened in the yoke of slavery again. Galatians 5:1
• and always be speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Keep on praying and praising the Lord with all your heart; Ephesians 5:19
• Keep on praying in the Spirit, with every kind of prayer and entreaty, at every opportunity, be ever on the alert with perfect devotion and entreaty for all God's people, Ephesians 6:18
• Keep on fostering the same disposition that Christ Jesus had. Philippians 2:5
• Stop being worried about anything, but always, in prayer and entreaty, and with thanksgiving, keep on making your wants known to God. Philippians 4:6
• So if you have been raised to life in fellowship with Christ, keep on seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1
• Let the peace that Christ can give keep on acting as umpire in your hearts, for you were called to this state as members of one body. And practice being thankful. Colossians 3:15
• Let the message of Christ continue to live in you in all its wealth of wisdom; keep on teaching it to one another and training one another in it with thankfulness, in your hearts singing praise to God with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Colossians 3:16
• Keep on thinking about what I am saying, for the Lord will grant you understanding of it in all its phases. 2 Timothy 2:7
• let us, without ever wavering, keep on holding to the hope that we profess, for He is to be trusted who has made the promise, Hebrews 10:23
• Keep on obeying this message; do not merely listen to it, and so deceive yourselves. James 1:22
• Keep on coming to Him, as to a living stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious in His sight, 1 Peter 2:4
• and keep on building yourselves up, as living stones, into a spiritual house for a consecrated priesthood, to offer up, through Jesus Christ, spiritual sacrifices that will be acceptable to God. 1 Peter 2:5
• but so far as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, keep on rejoicing, so that at the uncovering of His glory you may rejoice triumphantly. 1 Peter 4:13

I also loved how he incorporated the word PRACTICE into his translation.

• But I tell you, practice loving your enemies and praying for your persecutors, Matthew 5:44
• Then you must practice dealing with others as you would like for them to deal with you, for this is the summing up of the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12
• You must practice honoring your father and mother. And you must love your neighbor as you do yourself." Matthew 19:19
• But you must practice loving your enemies, doing good to them, and lending to them, despairing of nothing; so that your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Luke 6:35
• Practice forgiving others, and you will be forgiven. Practice giving to others, and they will give to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, people will pour into your lap. For the measure you use with others they in turn will use with you. Luke 6:38
• Practice rejoicing with people who rejoice, and weeping with people who weep. Romans 12:15
• Make it your practice to receive into full Christian fellowship people who are overscrupulous, but not to criticize their views. Romans 14:1
• Therefore, practice receiving one another into full Christian fellowship, just as Christ has so received you to Himself. Romans 15:7
• Finally, brothers, goodbye! Practice the perfecting of your characters, keep listening to my appeals, continue thinking in harmony and living in peace, and the loving, peace-giving God will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11
• I mean this: Practice living by the Spirit and then by no means will you gratify the cravings of your lower nature. Galatians 5:16
• Practice bearing one another's burdens, and in this way carry out the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
• So then whenever we have an opportunity, let us practice doing good to everybody, but especially to the members of the family of faith. Galatians 6:10
• You must practice being kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has graciously forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32
• and practice living in love, just as Christ loved you too and gave Himself for you as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:2
• Practice doing everything without grumbling and disputing, Philippians 2:14
• Now, brothers, practice thinking on what is true, what is honorable, what is right, what is pure, what is lovable, what is high-toned, yes, on everything that is excellent or praiseworthy.Practice the things you learned, received, and heard from me, things that you saw me do, and then the God who gives us peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9
• Practice occupying your minds with the things above, not with the things on earth Colossians 3:2
• Practice living prudently in your relations with outsiders, making the most of your opportunities. Colossians 4:5
• By this we can be sure that we know Him -- if we practice obedience to His commands. 1 John 2:3
• Dearly beloved, let us practice loving one another, because love originates with God, and everyone who practices loving is a child of God and knows God by experience. 1 John 4:7

Overall, I think this was an enjoyable read. I found it to be encouraging. I like reading new-to-me translations because they help me re-engage with familiar texts and familiar truths.

I would rather read the Williams New Testament than the Message any day!

Do you have a favorite paraphrase?

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Day Seven: Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed your week in the New Testament. I hope you benefited from time in His Word. I'd love to hear your thoughts. And of course, you can share your progress! Did you read as much as you hoped? Was it easier than you thought? Or more difficult?

Major Themes Taken from The Matthew Henry Study Bible:

Jude - Contend earnestly for the faith
Revelation - Hope. The apostle assures his readers that Christ will reward the righteous and judge the wicked.

Petra's We Need Jesus:





© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Day Six: Way Back When

If you'd like to share your progress in the New Testament this week, I'd love to hear from you!

Major themes taken from the Matthew Henry Study Bible

1 Peter - Exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Much of it reads like a sermon written to remind Christians of their conversion, privileges they have in Christ, and the holy lives they are to live. 

2 Peter - Stay diligent. Jesus Christ will return. 

1 John - Believers can have assurance of salvation. No true knowledge of God is possible without commitment to the divine-human Son of God and without receiving forgiveness for sin that His death provides. 

2 John - An earnest plea to continue to love one another and so obey Christ's commandment. To reject the subtle deceivers who deny that Jesus Christ truly became a human being. 

3 John - Encouraging God's workers to show hospitality at all times to ministers and missionaries. 

When God Ran by Benny Hester...



Michael W. Smith's Secret Ambition...



Michael Card's Love Crucified Arose...



Dallas Holm's Rise Again...



See also, He's Alive by Don Francisco and The Coloring Song by Petra.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Day Five: Heaven Is A Wonderful Place

If you'd like to share your progress in the New Testament this week, I'd love to hear from you!

Central Themes taken from the ESV Seek and Find Bible

Titus - Sound doctrine is important; doctrine and godliness go together; godly elders should be appointed; salvation comes by God's grace.

Philemon - The greatest reconciliation is between God and man; there should be reconciliation between Christians; Christians must show love and forgiveness; debts can be both repaid and forgiven. 

Hebrews - God speaks most fully in His Son; Jesus is superior to angels and to Moses; Jesus is our great high priest; Jesus is the perfect sacrifice all other sacrifices pointed to; Christians must hold to Jesus in faith and not turn back; faith is defined using Old Testament examples.

James - Joy and patience are required during suffering; true wisdom comes from God; believers should turn to God in prayer and faith; the Church should have a right attitude toward riches, including sharing with the needy; the tongue must be guarded; good deeds show real faith; loving the world is sin. 

Steven Curtis Chapman's Not Home Yet...



MercyMe's I Can Only Imagine...



© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Day Four: Daddy's Song

If you'd like to share your progress in the New Testament this week, I'd love to hear from you!

Central Themes taken from the ESV Seek and Find Bible

1 Thessalonians - Jesus will come again; suffering for Christ is part of the Christian life; ministers of the gospel must labor diligently in love; those who reject the gospel will be judged; believers will be resurrected to glory; Christians must pursue holiness.

2 Thessalonians - When Jesus returns God will show wrath to unbelievers and show His glory to believers; before Jesus returns there will be a time of rebellion and the 'man of lawlessness' will appear; Christians are called to faithful, holy living; idleness is rebuked.

1 Timothy - False teaching must be resisted and sound doctrine promoted; the gospel leads to authentic godliness; prayer should be ongoing and for all people; elders and deacons must meet certain requirements; relationships among believers should be gospel-centered; believers are called to exercise faithfulness in ministry. 

2 Timothy - Suffering is a normal part of the Christian life; Christians are to depend on God's power and keep trusting God through suffering; the good news of the gospel is our reason for enduring; Scripture is God's very Word to His people; false teaching must be firmly resisted.

In two parts, I've got Daddy's Song by Dennis Jernigan...





© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Day Three: Grace Alone

If you'd like to share your progress in the New Testament this week, I'd love to hear from you!

Major Themes Taken from the Matthew Henry Study Bible

Galatians - Liberty in Jesus. We are saved by faith in Christ alone, apart from the works of the Jewish law.
Ephesians - The body of Christ, His church. The book of Ephesians was intended to strengthen the church and to make Christians more conscious of their unity in Christ.
Philippians - Joy in the Lord regardless of circumstances.
Colossians - Christ is pre-eminent. He is the Head of all; He is Lord of all.


Today I am sharing one of my favorite, favorite songs. Caedmon's Call's Mystery of Mercy...



and Who Am I? by Casting Crown...



© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Day Two: All Eyes On Him

If you'd like to share your progress in the New Testament this week, I'd love to hear from you!

Key Purposes taken from the ESV Seek and Find Bible

Acts - The purpose of Acts is to show how Jesus' ministry continued through the Spirit-filled apostles and church as they witnessed about Jesus from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.

Romans - The purpose of Romans is to explain the gospel to the Christians living in Rome, showing how the gospel freely saves both Jews and Gentiles in a way that fulfills God's Old Testament promises.

1 Corinthians - The purpose of 1 Corinthians is to remind the Corinthians how different Christianity is from the way the world is, to exhort them to live lives faithful to the gospel and in unity with one another, and to answer questions that the Corinthians had asked.

2 Corinthians - The purpose of 2 Corinthians is to demonstrate that Paul was a true apostle, since false apostles were telling the Corinthians he was not, and to show that Christianity is opposite of the way we normally think about religion.

Today I thought I would share a few videos with you.

The first, "In Christ Alone" by Newsboys



The second, "Before There Was Time" by Caedmon's Call



© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Day One, Welcome!

If you'd like to share your progress in the New Testament this week, I'd love to hear from you. Of course, you don't have to share your progress, you don't have to "report" daily! This is a very personal challenge after all! But I thought I would try to cheer you on day by day by sharing a little bit about each book of the New Testament, and by sharing a few videos per day!

Key Purposes taken from the Matthew Henry Study Bible:

Matthew -- Matthew wrote especially to Jewish readers. His main purpose was to prove that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior, and Eternal King. He does this by showing how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies. His gospel includes fifty-three quotations from, and seventy-six references to, the Old Testament, more than any other New Testament writer.

Mark -- Mark's gospel is short, not giving so full an account of Christ's sermons, but insisting chiefly on His miracles. Mark presents the person and work of Jesus Christ to a mostly Gentile audience at Rome. His readers' attitude may have been: "Just give us the facts." As such, Mark's gospel moves quickly to the cross and resurrection of Christ.

Luke -- Luke was a Gentile writing to a Gentile audience. As such, he often uses Greek terms rather than Hebrew and emphasizes that the gospel is for the entire world.

John -- John's gospel is rather different from the "Synoptic" gospels. While Matthew, Mark, and Luke concentrate upon recording the events of Jesus' life and ministry, John dwells upon the spiritual meaning of what Jesus said and did. It is thought that John was writing with a Greek reader in mind. Therefore he lays strong emphasis upon the signs of Jesus, the miracles that prove Jesus is the Christ. In the gospel of John, Jesus' miracles are reported selectively, as seven specific signs, eight including the resurrection. These signs are intended to encourage belief in Jesus, John's stated purpose for writing is that his readers would believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and "that believing ye might have life through His name."

Beginning with Matthew? You might be "inspired" by Andrew Peterson singing "Matthew's Begats"! You may never *read* this genealogy the same way again!



Or perhaps you'd like to start with a letter? How about 1 Corinthians? Here's Michael Card's God's Own Fool:

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Word of Promise Next Generation

I was skeptical but curious about THE WORD OF PROMISE NEXT GENERATION audio bible. Skeptical because I find it almost impossible to find an audio version of the Bible which works for me. I either find a translation I like but come to discover that the narrator is too grating on my nerves--hint Max McLean--or I find a narrator I adore but it is in a translation that I wouldn't normally choose to read or listen to. My favorite example is The Gospels Come To Life. An audio book of the four gospels read by Michael W. Smith. He does a BEAUTIFUL job reading, and the background music is nice and rarely distracting. Unfortunately, it's just the gospels. I wanted the whole New Testament. Better yet the entire Bible. But curious because even though I'm almost always disappointed with audio bibles, I keep on wanting to give them the benefit of the doubt. The fact remains that I am always looking for that one audio version that I could fall in love with.

THE WORD OF PROMISE NEXT GENERATION uses the International Children's Bible. This is a version of the Bible that as an adult I'm less than impressed with. Then again, I'm not the target audience. The International Children's Bible (ICB) is designed to be read by children aged nine through twelve--it's on a third grade reading level. Though it released in 1985--at a time I would have been at a third grade reading level--I didn't receive a copy until I was in fifth or sixth grade. By then, I felt that this was too babyish. As a child, I read the Living Bible and the New International Version. So what does this mean for you? For kids, this might be an inviting and appropriate translation but it might prove slightly unsatisfying to adults who want a little bit more.

THE WORD OF PROMISE NEXT GENERATION uses a large cast of various actors to narrate the new testament. The narrator is Sean Astin. This--at least to me--was the perfect choice. Why? I'm not sure I can put it into the words. You want the narrator to sound natural yet powerful and to resonate but never be over the top. You don't want the narrator to be a distraction, and you don't ever want it to turn into a 'me, me, me' production. I think Astin works perfectly in this role. Other actors play specific roles in the gospels. The most important star in any cast would be Jesus, of course. This role is played by Cody Linley. Let me just tell you that I was completely skeptical. I didn't think he had a chance of pulling this one off. I couldn't imagine him being serious enough or respectful enough or calm enough to do the task of speaking Jesus's words. Yet this mostly works. I won't say that his voice is perfect for the job. There are a few places here and there where his voice is a bit of a distraction, where it's a bit unnatural--he speaks too slow at times. But for the most part--more often than not--it works. I wish I could say the same for Marshall Allman's performance as Paul. Which is frustrating because Paul's letters make up a large part of the New Testament. If I had to describe his narration I would say slow and stumbling. (There are places where the rhythm and cadence is just very awkward and unnatural--taking pauses in unusual places, weird emphasis on certain words over others, etc. There are plenty of other actors--both listed and unlisted--which fill out the cast of performers.

The performers involved in the project are for the most part young and famous. Hence the name "Next Generation." Of course, at 30 I am not Next Generation by any stretch of the imagination. So I can't judge the appeal factor for kids. I'd imagine since it features stars of some rather big productions--Hanna Montana, High School Musical, American Idol, etc.--that kids will be drawn to it.

The product description says that this "is the perfect way for young multi-taskers to absorb Scripture. This ambitious recording makes the Word accessible to more kids than ever before." Part of me cringes when I read that description. I don't like the idea of multi-tasking when it comes to God, to the Bible. You're supposed to slow down, to be still, to be reflective. How much--if any--can you absorb when your mind is on other things all the time and the Bible is just a background noise. One way that I would use this--would encourage kids to use this--is as a read along with the Bible. To have the Bible in hand when you listen so that you can follow along with the words on the page.

Listening to this has only made me more curious about the adult WORD OF PROMISE audio bible. I wonder if it would be the one that I'd fall in love with?

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews