The New English Bible

by Anonymous, Oxford University Press (Editor)

The New Testament of the New English Bible was first published in 1961 with a complete text available from 1970. This translation was the first to render the scriptures into contemporary English and to depart from the traditional linguistic style of the Authorized Version. Over the years the translation has come to be regarded as a classic text and it became a best-seller in many countries around the world. In 1989 its successor, the Revised English Bible, was published to great acclaim but there remain a significant number of readers who favour the NEB. This stunning edition - featuring the well-known line drawings by Horace Knowles - reintroduces the much-loved NEB text back into the Oxford list after an absence of nearly two years.

Genres: Religion, Reference, Christian, History, Christianity, Philosophy, Nonfiction

1502 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

Books can be attributed to "Anonymous" for several reasons:

* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author

Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.

See also: Anonymous

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: In the beginning of creation, when God made heaven and earth, the earth was without form and void, with darkness over the face of the abyss, and a mighty wind that swept over the surface of the waters.

I had read a handful of books in the New English Bible through the years, but, I'd never read this translation through in its entirety.

A few years ago, I got a fun little edition--though very green--that was illustrated by Horace Knowles.

Using the 5 Day Bible Reading Program, I decided to see if I could read the Bible in one month. I decided to tackle two to three weeks per day. This made sense to me though to others it might seem very crazy. What I liked best was the chronological arrangement of the readings--particularly the Old Testament.

I am very glad to have read this translation once. I'm not sure if I'll ever feel the need to read this particular translation over again--that is, regularly. I like more traditional translations better. But sometimes a new translation is needed to change up your routine a bit.

Quotes:

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live, all my life I will sing psalms to my God. Psalm 104:33
May my meditation please the LORD, as I show my joy in him! Psalm 104:34
Goodness and love unfailing, these will follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long. Psalm 23:6
How blest are those who know their need of God; the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
How blest are the sorrowful; they shall find consolation.
How blest are those of gentle spirit; they shall have the earth for their possession.
How blest are those who hunger and thirst to see right prevail; they shall be satisfied.
How blest are those who show mercy; mercy shall be shown to them.
How blest are those whose hearts are pure; they shall see God.
How blest are the peacemakers; God shall call them his sons.
How blest are those who have suffered persecution for the cause of right; the kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Matthew 5:3-10
Come to me, all whose work is hard, whose load is heavy; and I will give you relief. Bend your necks to my yoke, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble-hearted; and your souls will find relief. For my yoke is good to bear, my load is light. Matthew 11:28-30
God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, that everyone who has faith in him may not die but have eternal life. It was not to judge the world that God sent his Son into the world, but that through him the world might be saved. John 3:16-17

[Lynnette Ault · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this on January 1, 2013. I read the Bible through the entire year and do a different version each year.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my second time to read through the whole Bible in the New English Bible translation. I first read and reviewed it in January 2017.

At first my plan was to divide up my reading over five weeks or so.

Week one: Matthew, Genesis, Psalm Book I: 1-41, Proverbs, James, Galatians, Romans, Ephesians, Joshua, Hosea, Joel
Week two: Mark, Exodus, Psalm Book II: 42-72, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Judges, Ruth, Jeremiah, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah,
Week three: Luke, Leviticus, Psalm Book III: 73-89, Hebrews, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, Song of Songs, Lamentations, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah,
Week four: Acts, Numbers, Psalm Book IV: 90-106, Ecclesiastes, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, Ezekiel, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Titus, Philemon, Jude,
Week five: John, Deuteronomy, Psalm Book V: 107-150, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Daniel, Job, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Revelation

But. I ended up reading it in about fifteen days. I blame the reader format. Chapters and verses are not at all emphasized. It's in a single column format. But I don't blame only the reader format. The Word of God is just TASTY. I'm a glutton for the Word of God. I devour and savor it. Sometimes I devour more than savor. This was one of those times. Sometimes I savor more than devour. But as I said I almost couldn't help myself.

I don't love, love, love the New English Bible. I really enjoy the Old Testament--especially the book of Psalms. (Though still the KJV is my favorite and best). I do enjoy the gospels--for the most part. But when it comes to the epistles--the letters--especially the letters of Paul--I do not enjoy the NEB translation. I find that any book that centers around doctrine--theological ideas--is lacking. The word choices of the NEB just lack the solid-ness of other translations.

[Ava Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading the bible 😭😭😭

I’m laughing because it’s ironic that this is the first book I’ve picked up in ages and actually took the time to carefully read. I’m not religious in the slightest - a really, really impulsive decision to read this actually - but I’m glad I did.

It used to be my aunty’s copy (she died from cancer in her 20s, wayyy before I was born) and I found it whilst looking through lots of old stuff in the cupboard underneath my stairs. She was a very religious girl, as well as smart, affable and thoughtful. I also found many of her diaries and pictures, which I have looking through in between reading this.

Her copy consisted of all of the old annotations and analysis from when she was 18 years old (I am about to turn 18 myself) so over this period of time, it has been really soothing to get to know who she used to be and feel connected with her in this way. It made me question what my life could’ve looked like if I was actually religious myself, or if I ever had the chance to meet her. Maybe in another life though :)

[Alisa]

Such a clunky and awkward translation.