Translations I would LOVE to see in YouVersion

I am relatively new to YouVersion. I've been using this app for a little over a year. Not exclusively. (Never exclusively.) But for what it is, it is great. I absolutely was giddy when they added the BSB and LSB translations. The LSB translation was a recent add--in the last month. But it did get me thinking...what translations would I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE CRAZY love to see be added to YouVersion.

New International Version 1984.

I know this will probably never happen. But that doesn't mean it wouldn't be an awesome add. I don't think I'm alone in this. I think a LOT of people would love to see the NIV 84 have an ONLINE PRESENCE in YouVersion (and other apps). 

New American Standard 1977. 

I love, love, love, love this translation. I do. I love the way it flows. It *is* available as an e-book--with and without translator's notes. It is on Bible-Hub. But I *needs* it on YouVersion for convenience. 

New English Bible (1970)

Not to be confused with the NET New English Translation. This is an older British translation that I just love and adore. 

Revised English Bible (1989)

An update of the New English Bible. These two translations don't get enough love. I would rather read the NEB or the REB over some of these newer translations or paraphrases. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Fourteen years of Operation Actually Read Bible

Today my baby, my blog baby--youngest of three--is turning fourteen! 

My first post was called THE MISSION.

My goal--obvious as it may be--is to actually read the Bible. You might think that I've not read it. But that wouldn't be the case. I've read it a dozen or so times over the past twenty years. However, I've not been in the habit of reading it lately. For the past three or four years, my reading of the Bible has been pitiful to nil. I know--rationally speaking--that I NEED to read the Bible...that I NEED to study and read and pray. But it's not a part of my daily routine. Hence why I'm challenging myself to ACTUALLY read the Bible instead of just talking about how I need to start one day soon.

I usually share favorite posts from the past year, but, some years are more difficult. This past year was more difficult. I typically do reviews of books and bibles. I occasionally do other types of posts. It's hard for me to pick reviews because this isn't really a picking my favorite books post. Anyway, here are some posts to look back at:

Who Are Stars For?  (ratings)

The Importance Of Judging a Book by The Whole 

First Impressions of Using the Daily Offices from the Book of Common Prayer 

Second Impressions of Using the Daily Offices from the Book of Common Prayer 

Album Review: Songs of Common Prayer 

On OverFamiliarity with Scripture

Additional Ways to Use (the book) Be Thou My Vision 

Book Review: Pudge and Prejudice 

Book Review: In Honor's Defense 

Book Review: The Great Passion 

Bible Review: Berean Study Bible 

ETA: I decided to check my comments, and it turns out some actual people (as opposed to fake spammers) left comments in 2021/2022. They have now been published. Sorry I didn't think to check sooner. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

22. Where the Road Bends

Where the Road Bends. Rachel Fordham. 2022. 336 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: The small band on her ring finger glistened in the sunlight as Norah King walked the family land she had nearly lost.

Premise/plot: Norah King, our heroine, needs to marry to save her family farm. Jake Granger steps up...mostly because he really wants that farm for his own. But when Norah stumbles across an injured man on her property, a man with severe injuries, a man who is possibly dying, she sees only one way forward: to help him no matter the cost. Of course, she believes that Jake will believe her that when she tells him about the circumstances as to why they are together in her farm house, he will believe the best in her. But her first priority is doing anything and everything to nurse him. The injured man is down on his luck boxer named Quincy Barnes. He has no memory how he came to be there, but, he does know that Norah is sent from God. Taking this as a sign from God, he vows to make a fresh start and start making changes that will make him a better man, a man worthy of someone like Norah. He knows she's engaged to marry. He isn't trying to woo her away from Jake (who wants her farm). 

All of that occurs in the prologue, MOST of this book occurs two years later (circa 1882, still Iowa). Quincy is a new man, a business man, a man with a big heart that wants to make amends for his past mistakes...and one of those mistakes concerns Norah... But knowing that surely Norah is a married woman, he only wants to write her a letter...but that letter ends up being returned to sender... which sends Quincy on an adventure of his own...

My thoughts: I love all the Persuasion love. Persuasion is her favorite book. He goes out of his way to gift her with HER original copy (with an inscription from her mother). He reads it so they can discuss it. They adopt it as "their" own book. It's always nice to see all the love for Captain Wentworth and his letters. But. As much as this novel may be trying to be Persuasion 2.0, I had ALL the vibes from Les Miserables. That could be just me. (I do love Les Miserables.) Both books do have a theme of redemption and second chances. 

I found this a quick, enjoyable read. I loved that it wasn't melodramatic. It had places where it could have gone melodramatic, pushed things into that zone. (There was only one little scene where it might have crossed the line.) 

I loved the romance. I loved Quincy and Norah together. I loved the side characters as well. It was just a well-balanced story that was sweet in all the right ways. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

8. NKJV, Single Column

NKJV Single-Column Reference Bible, Premium Goatskin Leather, Premier Collection. 2018. 2144 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. Genesis 1:1-4

I bought this Bible this spring. I had been considering my options buying a New King James Bible for six months or so. I had definite things I was looking for. I wanted at least ten point font. (This was 10.5). I wanted black letter and not red letter. (This is black letter). I wanted limited ghosting or bleed through. (This has 36 gsm paper AND line-matching.) This one was a frontrunner for me to consider. (I was also considering another in the Premier Collection line that was double column). I am SO happy that I chose this one. I love the dimensions of this one. I have finally found 'the one' in the New King James translation.

I used this Bible for the Daily Offices in the Book of Common Prayer. Though to be fair, I do the Daily Offices my own way. I don't follow their calendar of readings--which span a year. Each day has me reading from Psalms and Proverbs, the Old Testament, and the New Testament. Some days I'd read a little more, some days a little less--in terms of number of chapters per day. My start date was April 20, 2022. My end date was June 7, 2022. 

I do like the New King James. In the past I've never really considered it to be in my top three. But that could be in part, because I've struggled for years to find a physical NKJV that had a) large enough font b) was black letter c) that had little to no ghosting d) that didn't have words broken into syllables. So perhaps I'll read more in this translation going forward. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

2022 Bible Reading #22

Bible reading week of 28 May - 3 June 2022

I am reading the NKJV Single Column bible for my Book of Common Prayer daily offices.

• Psalm 132-150; AND  Psalm 1-18
• Proverbs 28-31 AND Proverbs 1-3
• Isaiah 31-66
• Jeremiah
• Lamentations
• John 10-21
• 1 John
• 2 John
• 3 John 
• Jude

I am reading the New English Bible for my morning tea devotions.

• Leviticus
• Numbers 
• Luke
• Acts 1-17

I am reading the King James Version for my afternoon devotions.

• Ezra 
• Nehemiah
• Esther
• Job
• Isaiah 1-39
• 2 Timothy
• Titus
• Philemon
• Hebrews

I have TWO ongoing year-long 30 Day MacArthur plans going.

• In May I will be reading Isaiah 23-27 thirty times: KJV, LSB, ESV, BSB, 
• In May I will be reading Titus thirty times: KJV, LSB, ESV, BSB,
• In June I will be reading Genesis 37-44 thirty times: ESV, NASB 95, NASB 77, KJV,
• In June I will be reading Isaiah 28-33 thirty times: ESV, NASB 95, NASB 77, KJV,

My miscellaneous Bibles:

Great Bible 1539 (finished!!!)

• Hebrews
• James
• 1 Peter
• 2 Peter
• 1 John
• 2 John
• 3 John 
• Jude
• Revelation

Revised Version 1885

• Genesis
• Exodus

NASB 77

• Genesis 1-11

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

21. He Is Not Ashamed

He Is Not Ashamed. Erik Raymond. 2022. 160 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Imagine if we gathered together all of the believers throughout history and lined them up for a massive family photo. Whom would we see? What kinds of people would be there?

He Is Not Ashamed is a great book to read devotionally. It is not a devotional book--that's not what I'm saying. But the book is an encouraging, uplifting read. Each chapter--or most chapters--feel like a warm hug from a friend. And NOT at the expense of the truth. Again, not what I am saying. Some books water down the truth and spin so much sugar into what truth remains, that it can be a "feel-good" comfy-cozy read that lacks the power to convince or convict. The book is on the love of Christ for his people. HIS people.

There are seven chapters that illustrate--with PLENTY of Scripture passages and verses--that Christ is NOT ashamed of His people. Each chapter is PACKED with Scriptural evidence, multiple illustrations from Scripture, not just one "isolated" instance. 

Here are the titles for those seven chapters:

1. He Is Not Ashamed of Those With Embarrassing Stories
2. He Is Not Ashamed of Those Who Opposed Him
3. He Is Not Ashamed of Those Who Are Overlooked
4. He Is Not Ashamed of Those Who Were Far From God
5. He Is Not Ashamed Of Those Who Have Nothing
6. He Is Not Ashamed of Those Who Are Weak
7. He Is Not Ashamed of Those Who Still Sin

These seven chapters are encouraging, uplifting, and relevant. Who--as a believer--can't identify with at least half (if not all) of these! To be reminded that God loves us even when we feel overlooked, even when we are weak, even when we have nothing, etc. It is a reminder that God loves US. But it is also in a lesser way a reminder that we are called to love others as well. If Christ can love--and abundantly love HIS family--we are to love HIS family as well. No one has to be perfect to be loved.

The eighth and final chapter takes a turn, and I think it offers a needed balance. That chapter is "Whom Is Jesus Ashamed Of?" This chapter is a reminder that not ALL belong to Christ. That Jesus is THE way, THE truth, THE life. Jesus loves HIS own, but for those who do reject Christ, these promises do not apply.   That's not always a popular message these days. That's why I think it is a necessary balance. If you reject Christ, then judgment awaits. Not warm and fuzzies. Not a pat on the back. But eternal, everlasting judgment. Everyone is called to repent, to turn away from sin and turn towards Christ. 

Quote:

God wants us to know that Jesus loved us before the cross, on the cross, and after the cross. I do hope you see the value of looking through Christ's eyes and sensing his love for you. He's not ashamed of his people.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

#7 The Great Bible 1539

The Great Bible 1539. Myles Coverdale. 2017. 4355 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence from the preface: The Great Bible of 1539 was the first authorized edition of the Bible in English, authorized by King Henry VIII of England to be read aloud in the church services of the Church of England. The Great Bible was prepared by Myles Coverdale, working under commission of Thomas, Lord Cromwell, Secretary to Henry VIII and Vicar General. 

First sentence from Genesis: In the begynnynge God created heauen and earthe. The earth was voyde and emptye: and darcknes was vpon the face of the depe: and the sprete of God moued vpon the face of the waters. And God sayde: let there be made lyght, and there was light made. And God sawe the light that it was good. And God made a diuision betwene the light and darknesse. 

I have a genuine interest in the history of Bible translations. (See also my review of the 1560 Geneva Bible, 1537 Matthew's Bible,  1611 King James Bible, and the 1395 Wycliffe Modern Spelling Bible.)

While I don't see any of these historic translations becoming my number one "go-to" Bible translation for daily use, I do appreciate reading them through cover to cover. And, yes, the experience of reading these ancient translations build on one another. The more you read of this archaic language/spelling, the easier it is to "decipher" or "comprehend." Reading speed is definitely picking up the more time I spend in these older translations. (Not that speed is the most important thing or even an important thing.) 

I started the Great Bible in January 2022. (I finished the first book of the Bible, Genesis, January 9, 2022. I finished the last book of the Bible, Revelation, on May 31, 2022). I tried my best to read some in this Bible three to six nights a week. (This was my evening tea devotional Bible).

Quotes:

Genesis 6:5 But God sawe that the malyce of man was greate in the erth, and all the ymaginacyon of the thoughtes of hys hert was onely euell euery daye.

Ruth 1:16 And Ruth answered: entreate me not to leaue the, and to returne from after the: for whether thou goest, I will go also, & where thou dwellest, there I wyll dwell: thy people shalbe my people, and thy God my God, 1:17 Where thou dyest, there wyll I dye, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so and so to me, yf ought but death onelye departe the and me asondre.

Isaiah 40:11 He shall fede his flock lyke an herdman. He shall gather the lambes together with hys arme, and carye them in his bosome, & shall kyndely intreate those that beare yonge.

John 1:1 In the begynnynge was the worde, and the worde was wyth God: and God was the worde. 1:2 The same was in the begynnyng wyth God. 1:3 All thinges were made by it, & wythout it, was made nothynge that was made. 1:4 In it was lyfe, and the lyfe was the lyght of men, 1:5 and the lyght shyneth in darcknes, and the darcknes comprehended it not.

Acts 17:11 These were the noblest of byrth amonge them of Thessalonia, which receaued the word with all dilygence of mynde, and searched the scryptures dayly, whether those thynges were euen so.

Romans 3:23 for all haue synned, and are destitute of the glorye of God:

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye made safe thorow fayth, and that not of youre selues. It is the gyfte of God

Philippians 4:4 Reioyce in the Lord alwaye and agayne I saye reioyce.

James 4:8 Drawe nye to God, and he will drawe nye to you. Clense your handes ye siners, & pourge your hertes ye waueryng mynded.

I definitely enjoyed this translation. I am SO thankful that this edition exists in e-book at such an affordable price. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible