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The Kingdom New Testament: A Contemporary Translation
In The Kingdom New Testament, author N.T. Wright, whom Newsweek calls “the world’s leading New Testament scholar” provides a fresh, vivid translation of the New Testament. This is The Message for a new generation. Not for a long time has such a powerful and authoritative new translation of the Scriptures arisen for Christians everywhere, changing the way we read the books of the New Testament. In The Kingdom New Testament, Wright achieves a closer match to the Scripture’s original Greek provides a more natural, readable tone to the readings—even while magnifying the vibrancy and urgency of the original works. For Christians worldwide, this stunning new translation of the New Testament from the author of Simply Christian and Scripture and the Authority of God is a crucial way to re-claim the message of the Bible.
549 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2011
558 people are currently reading
737 people want to read
About the author
N.T. Wright
460 books2,864 followersN. T. Wright is the former Bishop of Durham in the Church of England (2003-2010) and one of the world's leading Bible scholars. He is now serving as the chair of New Testament and Early Christianity at the School of Divinity at the University of St. Andrews. He has been featured on ABC News, Dateline NBC, The Colbert Report, and Fresh Air, and he has taught New Testament studies at Cambridge, McGill, and Oxford universities. Wright is the award-winning author of Surprised by Hope, Simply Christian, The Last Word, The Challenge of Jesus, The Meaning of Jesus (coauthored with Marcus Borg), as well as the much heralded series Christian Origins and the Question of God.
He also publishes under Tom Wright.
He also publishes under Tom Wright.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
October 4, 2022
I wasn't totally sure how I would feel about this translation when I picked it up from the RTS library. I'd always been curious about it, and I was looking for something fresh for my third pass through the NT this year. I'll be buying a copy for myself, I think!
The Good
This translation mainly succeeds at simultaneously being faithful to the Greek and palatable to contemporary English sensibilities. Wright gets what many people don't about translation: You can't do it with a spreadsheet. You can't always just plunk the closest English equivalent to each word, in roughly the same order, down onto a page and call it done. Sometimes bringing the most accurate meaning across means being willing to supply words, omit words, or restructure sentences.
Here are examples of things Wright does that I like:
• He often renders γαρ (usually translated "for") as "you see." This not only conveys the meaning, but also the rhetorical effect that the Greek had. For instance, John 5:20: "The father loves the son, you see (γαρ), and shows him all the things he's doing. Yes: he will show him even greater things than these, and that'll amaze you!"
• Dialogue in narrative is laid out like a modern novel. For instance, Acts 13:51: "Paul and Barnabas grew very bold. 'God's word had to be spoken to you first,' they declared. 'But since you are rejecting it, and judging yourselves unworthy of the life of God's new age, look! We are turning to the gentiles!"
• He renders poetic sections in meter. For instance, 1 Cor 2:9: "But, as the Bible says,
Human eyes have never seen,
Human ears have never heard,
It's never entered human hearts:
All that God has now prepared
For those who truly love him."
• Wright follows verbal aspect and tense more faithfully than a lot of translations, bringing across the dynamic use that biblical authors made of imperfective and present tense verbs in narratives. He does this especially in Revelation.
• He also contextualizes idioms in helpful ways. My favorite example isn't an obscure idiom in the Greek, but it gets across Wright's sensitivity to English style. Matthew 5:2 says, "And, opening his mouth, he began teaching them, saying..." (my trans.) Wright's translation is: "He took a deep breath, and began his teaching." What this demonstrates to me is that Wright grasps the literary purpose Matthew had in using this idiom and conveys the same literary concept in English.
I could give more examples of things I liked, but I'll leave it at that.
The Bad
My feelings about this translation are positive on the whole, but there were particular places where I disliked his renderings.
• He translated χριστος sometimes as "Messiah" and sometimes as "King." I couldn't tell why he chose one over another in any given place (though he tends to use just one of the two throughout individual books). I also don't think either of these are satisfying. First of all, "Messiah" isn't really an English translation; translating the Greek into Hebrew doesn't bring meaning across to contemporary readers. On the other hand, "King" is too narrow. While the messianic concept certainly includes notes of royalty, it's broader than that. I would have preferred a more literal translation like "the Anointed."
• His translation of ημερα κυριου in 2 Peter 3:10 obscures the technical distinction in the NT and early church writings between The Day of the Lord (an eschatological time of judgment) and The Lord's Day (the first day of every week, when the churches meet for worship).
• He supplies the word "future" in Heb 4:9. While Heb 4 is indeed forward looking, this additional word obscures the fact that the biblical author uses the word for weekly Sabbath observance here. By adding the word "future," he places all the weight on the "not yet," taking away from the "already."
• Wright translates εν ησυχια as "undisturbed" instead of "in silence" or "quietly" in 1Tim 2:11. This is certainly a possible translation, but in my opinion it doesn't fit the context of Paul's overall argument well.
• Wright betrays his New Perspective leanings in his "translation" of Php 3:9-10, which is honestly an egregious example of paraphrasing rather than translating.
• He renders the name of the last epistle's author as "Judah." This is fine by me, but if he's going to do that, he should be consistent and translate Judas the same way, and he should read James as Jacob.
---
Most of my complaints have to do with individual passages and not the translation as a whole. Overall, I found Kingdom New Testament helpful, refreshing, interesting, and simply a pleasure to read.
The Good
This translation mainly succeeds at simultaneously being faithful to the Greek and palatable to contemporary English sensibilities. Wright gets what many people don't about translation: You can't do it with a spreadsheet. You can't always just plunk the closest English equivalent to each word, in roughly the same order, down onto a page and call it done. Sometimes bringing the most accurate meaning across means being willing to supply words, omit words, or restructure sentences.
Here are examples of things Wright does that I like:
• He often renders γαρ (usually translated "for") as "you see." This not only conveys the meaning, but also the rhetorical effect that the Greek had. For instance, John 5:20: "The father loves the son, you see (γαρ), and shows him all the things he's doing. Yes: he will show him even greater things than these, and that'll amaze you!"
• Dialogue in narrative is laid out like a modern novel. For instance, Acts 13:51: "Paul and Barnabas grew very bold. 'God's word had to be spoken to you first,' they declared. 'But since you are rejecting it, and judging yourselves unworthy of the life of God's new age, look! We are turning to the gentiles!"
• He renders poetic sections in meter. For instance, 1 Cor 2:9: "But, as the Bible says,
Human eyes have never seen,
Human ears have never heard,
It's never entered human hearts:
All that God has now prepared
For those who truly love him."
• Wright follows verbal aspect and tense more faithfully than a lot of translations, bringing across the dynamic use that biblical authors made of imperfective and present tense verbs in narratives. He does this especially in Revelation.
• He also contextualizes idioms in helpful ways. My favorite example isn't an obscure idiom in the Greek, but it gets across Wright's sensitivity to English style. Matthew 5:2 says, "And, opening his mouth, he began teaching them, saying..." (my trans.) Wright's translation is: "He took a deep breath, and began his teaching." What this demonstrates to me is that Wright grasps the literary purpose Matthew had in using this idiom and conveys the same literary concept in English.
I could give more examples of things I liked, but I'll leave it at that.
The Bad
My feelings about this translation are positive on the whole, but there were particular places where I disliked his renderings.
• He translated χριστος sometimes as "Messiah" and sometimes as "King." I couldn't tell why he chose one over another in any given place (though he tends to use just one of the two throughout individual books). I also don't think either of these are satisfying. First of all, "Messiah" isn't really an English translation; translating the Greek into Hebrew doesn't bring meaning across to contemporary readers. On the other hand, "King" is too narrow. While the messianic concept certainly includes notes of royalty, it's broader than that. I would have preferred a more literal translation like "the Anointed."
• His translation of ημερα κυριου in 2 Peter 3:10 obscures the technical distinction in the NT and early church writings between The Day of the Lord (an eschatological time of judgment) and The Lord's Day (the first day of every week, when the churches meet for worship).
• He supplies the word "future" in Heb 4:9. While Heb 4 is indeed forward looking, this additional word obscures the fact that the biblical author uses the word for weekly Sabbath observance here. By adding the word "future," he places all the weight on the "not yet," taking away from the "already."
• Wright translates εν ησυχια as "undisturbed" instead of "in silence" or "quietly" in 1Tim 2:11. This is certainly a possible translation, but in my opinion it doesn't fit the context of Paul's overall argument well.
• Wright betrays his New Perspective leanings in his "translation" of Php 3:9-10, which is honestly an egregious example of paraphrasing rather than translating.
• He renders the name of the last epistle's author as "Judah." This is fine by me, but if he's going to do that, he should be consistent and translate Judas the same way, and he should read James as Jacob.
---
Most of my complaints have to do with individual passages and not the translation as a whole. Overall, I found Kingdom New Testament helpful, refreshing, interesting, and simply a pleasure to read.
June 25, 2014
Starting in January, I decided to read through N.T. Wright's translation for my New Testament portion of Bible reading. As far as a contemporary translation goes, TKNT won't be for everyone (even if it is derived from the translation sections of Wright's commentary series "For Everyone"). There are some turns of phrase that will just ring awkwardly in contemporary American ears, perhaps like Jesus telling the disciples "off you go." However, as somewhat of an Anglo-phile British turns of speech do not bother me in the least. Personally, I found this translation insightful and refreshing.
When I chose to read through it, though, I was also reading it with an eye to better understanding Wright's take on the NT. I have read 9 or 10 of his books at this point, and I've listened to hours of his lectures and sermons, but I was still unclear at several points what he made of certain passages in light of his theology. This translation was a window into that world, and I found it helpful to that purpose as well.
My particular copy is on Kindle and at numerous point, especially in the Gospels, the headings would get off by a section and continue off-track for several chapters. That was annoying and something a careful editor should have caught, but overall it didn't ruin my enjoyment of reading the text. I recommend this translation as a helpful tool to anyone.
When I chose to read through it, though, I was also reading it with an eye to better understanding Wright's take on the NT. I have read 9 or 10 of his books at this point, and I've listened to hours of his lectures and sermons, but I was still unclear at several points what he made of certain passages in light of his theology. This translation was a window into that world, and I found it helpful to that purpose as well.
My particular copy is on Kindle and at numerous point, especially in the Gospels, the headings would get off by a section and continue off-track for several chapters. That was annoying and something a careful editor should have caught, but overall it didn't ruin my enjoyment of reading the text. I recommend this translation as a helpful tool to anyone.
January 30, 2016
Mr N.T.Wright (or Tom) is 'The' exegetical voice of today!
Bar non! If you want to get to grips with the New Testament he's your man. In his self penned preface to this translation, Tom (having read a few of his books I feel that I may presume upon the liberty) asks two rhetorical questions;
Bar non! If you want to get to grips with the New Testament he's your man. In his self penned preface to this translation, Tom (having read a few of his books I feel that I may presume upon the liberty) asks two rhetorical questions;
"Is this new version then a translation or a paraphrase? And, why do we need yet another one?"His answer to the first is simple enough
"It's a translation not a paraphrase."The second however, is paramount;
"...it's an opportunity because translating the New Testament is something that, in fact, every generation should be doing"This then is the most satisfyingly accurate, contemporary English translation in print (yes, even better than the extremely good E.S.V!). It reads like everyday English because certain 'churchy' words have been rendered anew ('Righteousness' now becomes 'covenant behaviour', 'Christ' is no longer a surname and becomes 'the King' or 'the Messiah'.) It's just a pity then that it's prohibitive high cost precludes a wider readership, as, it seems to me, that dissemination is also implicit in his all important second answer.
April 11, 2025
I love Wright's translation of the New Testament. It is a fresh and modern translation that is also rooted in excellent NT scholarship. He is consistent in his translation of words and phrases, which helps readers to see connections from the original Greek that some translations miss on account of multiple translators with minor differences in strategy. I found this text to be a great way to get me to think deeply about what the text says since it didn't just pass my eyes as something I have seen over and over. I don't recommend this as a primary translation for study, but it is a great aid for a personal Bible reading plan or as a supplement to other translations in study.
October 8, 2020
2020 reads: 39/52
Rating: 4.5 stars
I picked up this discounted New Testament translation by NT scholar and historian, N.T. Wright. It was quite a refreshing read since Wright offers a translation between an essentially literal/dynamic equivalent. Wright writes in contemporary British English and so one feels as though they're being read the NT by 'grandpa Nick'. It was delightful.
My favorite book was definitely Mark. Wright's presentation of the dialogues are vivid and exciting.
Galatians and Romans were the most revealing of his presuppositions/convictions. More specifically, the ongoing debate sorrounding 'pistis Christou'. Should it be understood as meaning ‘faith in Christ’ or ‘faithfulness of Christ’? Wright leans toward the latter: "faithfulness of the messiah." I think some contexts might allow for it, though in other places it seems rather forced. Also, one sees Wright's eschatology in the Gospel of John, where he translates “eternal life” (a major theme in John) as the “life of the coming age”.
All in all this is a helpful translation and is very reader friendly. It is free to read on Bible-Gateway but this hard-cover was hard to pass up!
Rating: 4.5 stars
I picked up this discounted New Testament translation by NT scholar and historian, N.T. Wright. It was quite a refreshing read since Wright offers a translation between an essentially literal/dynamic equivalent. Wright writes in contemporary British English and so one feels as though they're being read the NT by 'grandpa Nick'. It was delightful.
My favorite book was definitely Mark. Wright's presentation of the dialogues are vivid and exciting.
Galatians and Romans were the most revealing of his presuppositions/convictions. More specifically, the ongoing debate sorrounding 'pistis Christou'. Should it be understood as meaning ‘faith in Christ’ or ‘faithfulness of Christ’? Wright leans toward the latter: "faithfulness of the messiah." I think some contexts might allow for it, though in other places it seems rather forced. Also, one sees Wright's eschatology in the Gospel of John, where he translates “eternal life” (a major theme in John) as the “life of the coming age”.
All in all this is a helpful translation and is very reader friendly. It is free to read on Bible-Gateway but this hard-cover was hard to pass up!
October 10, 2023
I read this back to back at a run like a novel. This translation of the New Testament for the English-speaking world is hard to put down, reading smoothly with a British-English bent that sounds beautiful and poignant.
July 28, 2013
It was difficult to read as I felt that many of Wright's translation and syntax choices were somewhat strange. As one reviewer has said (on Amazon, I believe), Wright makes Jesus sound like a hippie from the 1960's. I kept a few other translations handy for those times when I felt that what the KNT said wasn't quite accurate. The majority of the times that I had to refer to my NASB, ESV, NET, or Interlinear turned out to show that there was just a wording choice that was different from what I feel I would have used had I undertaken a translation.
At no point did I ever find anything that changed the major tenets of Christian doctrine. There are some points where his choices weaken a minor point but never a major point.
Bottom line: This translation is a modern, gender-neutral, thought-for-thought translation that reads like a poor paraphrase. The fact that I couldn't read it without a reliable translation at hand bothered me. I give the KNT 2 stars based on the translation work alone.
At no point did I ever find anything that changed the major tenets of Christian doctrine. There are some points where his choices weaken a minor point but never a major point.
Bottom line: This translation is a modern, gender-neutral, thought-for-thought translation that reads like a poor paraphrase. The fact that I couldn't read it without a reliable translation at hand bothered me. I give the KNT 2 stars based on the translation work alone.
January 1, 2022
I really enjoyed the Gospels and Revelation in Wright’s translation.
December 22, 2020
N. T. Wright’s translation of the New Testament has appeared in his “New Testament for Everyone” books, and this volume collects the whole translation into a single volume. As part of my read-through of the Bible this year (reading a few chapters a day, all year long) I decided to read this volume, too, but at a different pace—each book straight through in one sitting. I don’t think I’ve ever done that before, and I really loved it over the past months. The Gospels are particularly fantastic when read straight through. A lot of small details and connections within each of those books became clearer to me when I saw it all at the same time. I think we Christians tend to spend too much time picking out small selections from the books of the Bible, but reading whole books at once is a valuable experience.
I enjoy Wright’s translation, for the most part. It’s contemporary and colloquial, but usually not distractingly so, as some extremely dynamic translations can be (Wright’s is still very much a translation, not a paraphrase). Just a few of the phrasings Wright employs stuck out to me in my reading—the word “d’you” (as in Matthew 17:25, when Jesus asks, “What d’you think, Simon?”), for example, or when Jesus says, “Off you go, then” (Matthew 8:32, and other places), which somehow makes me picture Mary Poppins. But generally I found this to be an even, pleasant, clear translation, and I recommend it to any New Testament reader.
Thank you to my beautiful wife for buying this book for me for Christmas last year. :)
I enjoy Wright’s translation, for the most part. It’s contemporary and colloquial, but usually not distractingly so, as some extremely dynamic translations can be (Wright’s is still very much a translation, not a paraphrase). Just a few of the phrasings Wright employs stuck out to me in my reading—the word “d’you” (as in Matthew 17:25, when Jesus asks, “What d’you think, Simon?”), for example, or when Jesus says, “Off you go, then” (Matthew 8:32, and other places), which somehow makes me picture Mary Poppins. But generally I found this to be an even, pleasant, clear translation, and I recommend it to any New Testament reader.
Thank you to my beautiful wife for buying this book for me for Christmas last year. :)
November 3, 2017
Very readable New Testament
I really enjoyed reading through this book. Wright translated the text in a way that is very readable while at the same time adhering to original meaning of the words. I will likely go back to this again and again over the years.
I really enjoyed reading through this book. Wright translated the text in a way that is very readable while at the same time adhering to original meaning of the words. I will likely go back to this again and again over the years.
December 2, 2023
Overall, a very accessible translation that helps for seeing the New Testament with fresh eyes. At times, Wright’s translation is a little too quirky and British. Could have done without abbreviating “do you?” as “d’you?”, for example.
September 11, 2012
The Bible is a beautiful, soul touching and life transforming book to read no matter what translation you might read…just as long as the translation is true to the original text. Renowned Bible Scholar and author N. T. Wright has written what is referred to as a “contemporary translation” of the New Testament that is true to the original texts but he has written it in a way that the lay person can sit down, read it and thoroughly enjoy doing so.
I found The Kingdom New Testament easy to read and understand and most enjoyable to read as well. It’s the New Testament at its finest as far as I am concerned with a totally accurate rendering of the words from the original language to our modern day vernacular. And I like the title. It resonates with my spirit…”The Kingdom New Testament.” Yes, it is “the Kingdom New Testament” as the New Testament is about the coming of Christ the Messiah and the Kingdom of God (Heaven) as well as about the salvation of both Gentiles and Jews, the birth of the church, how we then are to live as followers of Christ and members of “the church,” and about the things to come in the future.
Author Wright does not include any study notes with the translation; however, he does provide some helpful interlinear notes to aid the reader in knowing what the passage of Scripture is about that they are reading. If you are looking for an easy enjoyable to read version of the New Testament I highly recommend N. T. Wright’s Kingdom New Testament.
For more information about The Kingdom New Testament visit the HarperOne Publishing Company website.
To purchase a copy of The Kingdom New Testament visit the Harper One Publishers website or go to your local Christian bookstore. You can also purchase one online from one of the major Christian Book retailers.
I received a complementary copy of The Kingdom New Testament from HarperOne Publishing Company for reviewing it.
I found The Kingdom New Testament easy to read and understand and most enjoyable to read as well. It’s the New Testament at its finest as far as I am concerned with a totally accurate rendering of the words from the original language to our modern day vernacular. And I like the title. It resonates with my spirit…”The Kingdom New Testament.” Yes, it is “the Kingdom New Testament” as the New Testament is about the coming of Christ the Messiah and the Kingdom of God (Heaven) as well as about the salvation of both Gentiles and Jews, the birth of the church, how we then are to live as followers of Christ and members of “the church,” and about the things to come in the future.
Author Wright does not include any study notes with the translation; however, he does provide some helpful interlinear notes to aid the reader in knowing what the passage of Scripture is about that they are reading. If you are looking for an easy enjoyable to read version of the New Testament I highly recommend N. T. Wright’s Kingdom New Testament.
For more information about The Kingdom New Testament visit the HarperOne Publishing Company website.
To purchase a copy of The Kingdom New Testament visit the Harper One Publishers website or go to your local Christian bookstore. You can also purchase one online from one of the major Christian Book retailers.
I received a complementary copy of The Kingdom New Testament from HarperOne Publishing Company for reviewing it.
December 29, 2019
Though I have read the New Testament in many versions, those versions were compiled by councils, denominations, or Biblical societies. This is my first translation by a single translator. I have been an NT Wright reader for some time now, and trust his scholarly prowess and command of Ancient Greek.
I do not know if it was the skill of the translator or the singular vision of the translator but the Word felt vibrant and alive. However, in a British voice. Even though I am North American I prefer the British voice in literature, and yes that is a thing.
The downside is that a single translator can have his way with the text, and Wright certainly does. Wright is known for a few small perspective changes that certainly are seen in this translation. I would recommend reading a few of his non scholarly writings to become acquainted with those views, and be at least aware of them if no beware of them.
This should be used as a supplement to a good regular translation of the Bible such as NRSV, NASB, or NIV. It can sometimes cut through the vagueness of scholarly convergence, with a fresh perspective.
I loved reading it.
I do not know if it was the skill of the translator or the singular vision of the translator but the Word felt vibrant and alive. However, in a British voice. Even though I am North American I prefer the British voice in literature, and yes that is a thing.
The downside is that a single translator can have his way with the text, and Wright certainly does. Wright is known for a few small perspective changes that certainly are seen in this translation. I would recommend reading a few of his non scholarly writings to become acquainted with those views, and be at least aware of them if no beware of them.
This should be used as a supplement to a good regular translation of the Bible such as NRSV, NASB, or NIV. It can sometimes cut through the vagueness of scholarly convergence, with a fresh perspective.
I loved reading it.
Read
September 7, 2020A very readable translation. I very much enjoyed how Paul's energy and excitement (and, often, righteous and cantankerous indignation) shines through the Epistles. The gospel's were very readable and benefited from the focus on commonplace language that Dr. Wright attempted. Although sometimes when the author attempts to domesticate the biblical language it lacks the enormity of what it is describing, this version does not loose any sense of the momentous events that are happening. I also took Tom Wrights suggestion to read the books in longer chunks, if not in full - abstaining from the desire to read 3/4 chapter nightly. I feel this enhanced the frantic feeling of the news on display and puts you in the mindset of an early churchgoer who had to read it in a night before passing it to another home church.
July 28, 2018
I like to read different translations of the Bible just to keep the words fresh. Translations can emphasize different words or use different synonyms, and reading a new version makes parts of Scripture stand out for me. I've read the books in the New Testament many times, and it can be easy to skim through without focusing if I am not disciplined.
This is the version I started at the beginning of the year. Technically it's just the New Testament, but that's fine. N.T. Wright is my favorite theologian, and I enjoyed reading Acts and the Pauline epistles while concurrently reading his book Paul: A Biography.
This is the version I started at the beginning of the year. Technically it's just the New Testament, but that's fine. N.T. Wright is my favorite theologian, and I enjoyed reading Acts and the Pauline epistles while concurrently reading his book Paul: A Biography.
September 5, 2021
A former Vicar said to read this like a novel, which is what I did, normally finishing at the end of a chapter
January 6, 2020
The Kingdom New Testament: A Contemporary Translation continues my engagement with the works of the scholar and theologian N. T. Wright. I added his translation of the New Testament at the beginning of 2019 to accompany my student of the NT in Sunday school. When you have read the NT several times, it helps to force yourself to read it in a new light, and an alternate translation can do wonders. I first realized this as a missionary in Germany when I read the Einheitsuebersetzung used by the Catholic and Lutheran churches in Germany, and has also been adopted by Latter-Day Saints. This was my first foray into alternate translations, but it was also a sanctioned one. While Latter-Day Saints are by no means barred from reading alternate translations, the English King James Version is the official version used by the Church, and also has a beloved spot by many members. I remember reading a passage from an alternate translation to my dad, and he instantly recognized that it wasn't the KJV; it "just isn't as poetic." Here are the KJV and Wright's translation of John 3:16:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
versus
This, you see, is how much God loved the world: enough to give his only, special son, so that everyone who believes in him should not be lost but should share in the life of God's new age.
I will admit, that the conversational tone of Wright's translation sometimes jarred the ears, as I too was used to the poetry of the KJV. But other times, the KJV can hinder understanding, say, Paul for instance, and you find your eyes glazing over for a couple of chapters until it makes sense again. It is for passages like these that one or more alternate translations can REALLY come in handy.
So what difference does a translation really make? Does it just make it easier to read? Well, yes. Wright makes a powerful argument for the importance of translation in his preface, citing the day of Pentecost:
Part of the point of Jesus's message, after all, is that it's about God coming to people where they are, not sitting back sternly and waiting for them to come to him.
But there are also times, the translation itself gives room for different interpretations of the text. This is where Latter-Day Saints may start to wag their fingers: the traditional understanding of apostasy is that the scriptures have been through the hands of so many translators already, that the "pure and simple" things of the gospel have been removed. You don't need anything more than Joseph Smith's annotations to the KJV, and any other translations are likely yet another round of apostasy telephone. In one of my last Sunday school lessons in 2019, we were in the book of Revelations. I read this passage in Revelations 2:4 where John is giving Christ's admonitions to the people in Ephesus. It really struck me:
I do, however, have one thing against you: you have abandoned the love you showed at the beginning.
I contrasted this lack of love the Ephesians showed with the praise John had given earlier: that they were quick to drive out heretics. This translation gave the impression that while it is good to worry about doctrinal purity, it cannot come at the expense of loving our neighbor. The translation in the KJV doesn't necessarily give the same impression:
Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
It almost sounds romantic, right? And my immediate interpretation is perhaps the love towards the Savior rather than toward our fellow man. Both are well and good, but an alternate translation can expand possible interpretations. The ideal would be to go ahead and learn Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, but that's not on the table for me at the moment!
I really enjoyed Wright's translation, and would definitely recommend it.
October 28, 2022
I love this 2011 translation of the New Testament.
Jesus spoke a Galilean dialect of Aramaic, a Semitic language that originated among the Arameans in the ancient region of Syria. The Christian gospel scriptures were written in Greek, which was everyone's second language back the, sort of like how English is everyone's second language today.
Language changes over time. And because language changes over time, we should be reading the scriptures from a fresh translation in order to gain a fuller understanding of them. No one today speaks first century Greek anymore, so translators must do their best to determine the meaning of the language of the scriptures.
N.T. Wright has done an incredible job of translating the first century Greek into today's English, including subtle changes in tone and cadence, making the stories and words of Jesus come alive for us today. Wright has given his readers a new way of reading, listening to, and understanding the New Testament, and the stories and words of Jesus. I highly recommend this translation to anyone who seeks to go further in his or her faith.
Jesus spoke a Galilean dialect of Aramaic, a Semitic language that originated among the Arameans in the ancient region of Syria. The Christian gospel scriptures were written in Greek, which was everyone's second language back the, sort of like how English is everyone's second language today.
Language changes over time. And because language changes over time, we should be reading the scriptures from a fresh translation in order to gain a fuller understanding of them. No one today speaks first century Greek anymore, so translators must do their best to determine the meaning of the language of the scriptures.
N.T. Wright has done an incredible job of translating the first century Greek into today's English, including subtle changes in tone and cadence, making the stories and words of Jesus come alive for us today. Wright has given his readers a new way of reading, listening to, and understanding the New Testament, and the stories and words of Jesus. I highly recommend this translation to anyone who seeks to go further in his or her faith.
August 7, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed Tom Wright’s translation of the New Testament . They don’t call him NT for nothin’ :-)
It took me a minute to get used to the straightforward, contemporary, matter of fact language, but after a bit of pressing in, I really enjoyed this fresh version. Less descriptive and colloquial than other modern paraphrase like the message , and less emotionally charged that the passion translation (I enjoy TPT), and more accessible to the modern reader than the KJV or NASB. It reads like my educated, British Father-in Law telling me the story of Jesus and the apostles.
NT Wright makes a comment in the preface that “each generation ought to be” translating the Word of God afresh. To be clear, this brisk, clearly English version is a translation not a paraphrase. He attempts to stick closely to the original Greek.
I enjoyed reading and recommend it for anyone that enjoys reading the Bible, especially those that like to read different translations to see fresh nuances that familiarity may cause one to overlook. Go NT!
It took me a minute to get used to the straightforward, contemporary, matter of fact language, but after a bit of pressing in, I really enjoyed this fresh version. Less descriptive and colloquial than other modern paraphrase like the message , and less emotionally charged that the passion translation (I enjoy TPT), and more accessible to the modern reader than the KJV or NASB. It reads like my educated, British Father-in Law telling me the story of Jesus and the apostles.
NT Wright makes a comment in the preface that “each generation ought to be” translating the Word of God afresh. To be clear, this brisk, clearly English version is a translation not a paraphrase. He attempts to stick closely to the original Greek.
I enjoyed reading and recommend it for anyone that enjoys reading the Bible, especially those that like to read different translations to see fresh nuances that familiarity may cause one to overlook. Go NT!
October 2, 2019
I’m nobody to argue Greek with any NT scholars, however...I’m just not a fan of this translation. Wright translates some of his pet theological projects into the text (like Christ translated “King”), but he isn’t particularly consistent in his usage. There are stilted (in English) sentences and odd word choices all over the place, and I don’t think it is due to the bumpiness that some very literal translations have. Wright began this project with creating translations for his New Testament for Everyone series, and my hypothesis from what I see here is that when the translations of various books were taken and bound into this “new” book that they were not properly edited and revised in order to make a cohesive whole. It’s disappointing from a great scholar, and it makes me wonder how much of this choice was a commercial move versus providing a great new tool or translation for Christians and Christian communities.
November 16, 2019
My wife and I read primarily from this version of the New Testament this year, and we both grew to love it. (She'd pester me about where I put it sometimes, when we started reading from another, less comprehensible translation.) It's relatively easy to read, with a single column running through each page. Wright's modernization is scholarly but also eminently accessible and conversational; I especially appreciated this in Paul's letters, which can get dense sometimes, but here Paul's wit and humor and anger and sorry really came out.
There are titles for each passage that provide a good "handle" for locating a passage, though I sometimes wish they weren't there, because they reflect Wright's own view of what that passage is about, and I sometimes would have preferred not to be "directed" by them.
But that's a minor quibble. I really liked this edition, and I'd recommend it for anyone looking for a good addition to their collection of New Testament books.
There are titles for each passage that provide a good "handle" for locating a passage, though I sometimes wish they weren't there, because they reflect Wright's own view of what that passage is about, and I sometimes would have preferred not to be "directed" by them.
But that's a minor quibble. I really liked this edition, and I'd recommend it for anyone looking for a good addition to their collection of New Testament books.
March 7, 2021
Definitely worth the read. Look, it is the Bible, so no comments on the "real content", just the way it is presented. It was a refreshing translations that lacks the poetry of the KJV or RSV. But much easier to read than both, particularly the KJV. I am British (though have been living in the USA for 14 years), and I did find some of the phrases awkward - I obviously come from a different class or county. Phrases such as "off you go" might be translated by me as "come on let's go" or "on your way". Without having done a more in-depth study many of Wright's phrases emphasize his theology. So he says "King" for Jesus perhaps to emphasize that if you have a King, then there must be a Kingdom. The Kingdom is on earth as it is in Heaven. So, there is a Kingdom, then Jesus is a King. He also uses the more correct phrase "the Satan" (the Accuser) rather than Satan as a personal name.
I would recommend the translation as a read, but not necessarily as the only daily driver for scripture reading. Even NT himself says that he reads different translations of the Bible all the way through to get different perspectives from the translators to understand the meaning.
I am reading the NIV at the moment. A smoother translation. I would love to see NT's translation digitized and part of those electronic Bible study software programs so you can more easily compare and contrast. His take on specific verses would be illuminating in my opinion.
I would recommend the translation as a read, but not necessarily as the only daily driver for scripture reading. Even NT himself says that he reads different translations of the Bible all the way through to get different perspectives from the translators to understand the meaning.
I am reading the NIV at the moment. A smoother translation. I would love to see NT's translation digitized and part of those electronic Bible study software programs so you can more easily compare and contrast. His take on specific verses would be illuminating in my opinion.
May 6, 2017
I enjoyed this fresh, clearly British, translation in my regular Bible reading. I was curious what Wright emphases I might find in this translation. The kingdom was emphasized, which was no surprise. Otherwise, Nothing else stood out to me as being especially spotlighted. But then I was reading it devotionally, not critically. This translation is nothing as radically different as The Message, The Voice, or God's Word Translation. Just a nice, fresh reading of the same beautiful story.
June 12, 2022
I loved reading this. I’ve never more easily understood Paul, and have never felt more engaged in scripture. God gave the Church a gift: Wright’s capability to “dumb down” Paul while upholding the integrity of his original words. I’m so grateful Wright crafted this work in partnership with the Spirit.
(A couple tiny translations in the gospels felt iffy to me, and didn’t hold up upon further study, but largely this has checked as faithful to the original texts.)
(A couple tiny translations in the gospels felt iffy to me, and didn’t hold up upon further study, but largely this has checked as faithful to the original texts.)
September 25, 2017
This is N.T. Wright's personal translation of the New Testament. I've been reading it here and there over the past couple of years. I think it's well done, although there are some British cliches strewn throughout. Also, some words (i.e. "justification") are translated as Wright would have them in line with his own theology, which might bother some readers. But, all in all good.
April 2, 2024
Enjoyable New Testament. I don't think this is my favorite translation and prefer DBH's version, but it's nice to remember that the Greek is written in an everyday format, and this could be a good intro Bible for those struggling to get into the syntax. Definitely seems to be "reading protestantism" into the text.
April 27, 2022
Marvellous translation that helps you see several concepts afresh, especially Christ = king and eternal life = life of the age to come. The format also makes it much more readable than the standard two-column layout.
September 24, 2024
“Instead, make your top priority, God’s kingdom and his way of life, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
Reading this translation was a delight. It made me eager to read large portions of scripture in one sitting.
Reading this translation was a delight. It made me eager to read large portions of scripture in one sitting.
August 1, 2017
I love N.T. Wright and adore this translation!
September 2, 2019
A delightful, conversational translation of the New Testament. Parts of it feel rather British in tone, which is actually charming and pleasant to me. I’ll definitely read it again and again.
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