Are you ready to experience the Bible like never before? The Passion Translation is a new, heart-level translation that expresses God’s fiery heart of love to this generation using Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic manuscripts, merging the emotion and life-changing truth of God’s Word. If you are looking for a new way to study God’s Word or you simply just want to go deeper into God’s Word, you’ll want to check out The Passion Translation!
The Passion Translation: Encounter The Heart Of God
With so many Bible translations out there, you might be thinking to yourself that another one is simply not needed. You may even have to control your eyes from doing an automatic eye-roll at the very words “new Bible Translation.” While there are so many wonderful Bible translations and version of the Bible out there already for sale, on apps, software, etc. it may seem a bit silly to have another translation. But I would encourage you to keep an open mind while you continue to read this article.
Perhaps you are like most Christians out there. You have serval copies of the Bible, all different translations, sizes, hardback, softback, leather, some with the Red Letters of Jesus, others in small compact travel form. You’ve even got study Bibles, Bibles with devotionals in them and then, of course, you’ve got the Bible app on your smartphone and tablet. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, it can slowly start to make us forget how powerful and sacred God’s Word is, since it is so accessible. Think of those who are in third-world countries who would do anything to get their hands on just a few chapters of the Bible.
We can all agree that regardless of the translation, God longs for his Word to be expressed in every language in a way that unlocks the passion of His heart. That is what The Passion Translation believes and the goal of The Passion Translation is to trigger inside every reader an overwhelming response to the truth of the Bible, revealing the deep mysteries of the scriptures in the love language of God, the language of the heart.
Dr. Brian Simmons, who is the lead translator for The Passion Translation says:
“If you’re hungry for God and want to know him on a deeper level, The Passion Translation will help you encounter God’s heart and discover what he has for your life.”
What Is So Different About The Passion Translation?
The Passion Translation really helps to make God’s Word come alive! While most Bible translations have the goal of accuracy in conveying God’s Word in contemporary, modern language, The Passion Translation is more in favor of prioritizing God’s original message rather than words’ literal meaning. And as a reader, you’ll notice this right away as you see the heart of God through all the scriptures as you read The Passion Translation. Where some translations often use a word-for-word rendition of the text, The Passion Translation favors a more expansive, natural thought-for-thought expression of God’s Word. This brings greater clarity and understanding as you read through the Bible as one big story. One of the great things about The Passion Translation is it can take a very complicated message and enhance the meaning by going beyond the literal translation to ultimately magnify God’s original message. This makes for easier reading and studying, as well as retention of God’s Word. You’ll be amazed at scriptures that you’ve read before and may have not fully understood, becomes much clearer through The Passion Translation. Another exciting thing while reading The Passion Translation is that you’ll discover sections of Scripture that seemed like they were not there before as they are described in a brand new way while also showing you an aspect of God’s heart, all while staying very true to the original manuscripts.
Who Is Behind The Passion Translation?
The Passion Translation is published by BroadStreet Publishing with Dr. Brian Simmons as the lead translator for The Passion Translation. Dr. Simmons translated every book, including the numerous footnotes, and each translation was evaluated by respected scholars and editors. In preparation for the release of the full New Testament, BroadStreet Publishing formed an even more extensive and diverse team to review and provide critical feedback to ensure The Passion Translation is faithful to the original text and heart of God.
Dr. Simmons is a former missionary, linguist, minister, and Bible teacher. As a missionary, he and his wife, Candice, pioneered church plants in Central America. As a linguist, Brian co-translated the Paya-Kuna New Testament for the Paya-Kuna people of Panama. He and his wife have birthed numerous ministries, including a dynamic church, Gateway Christian Fellowship, in West Haven, Connecticut. He is also a gifted teacher of the Bible who has authored several books and serves churches worldwide through his teaching ministry. Brian began his biblical studies with The New Tribes Bible Institute and continued on to earn his doctorate with Wagner Leadership Institute, with a specialization in prayer. His doctoral thesis is now published, Prayer Partners with Jesus, available on Amazon.com.
Why We Love The Passion Translation?
For a few years now, several of us here at Sharefaith have had the privilege to read various books of the Bible including Psalms, Proverbs and the New Testament of The Passion Translation. We loved every minute of it! The Passion Translation really does show you God’s Word and God’s heart through each passage. One of the most impactful things of the Passion Translation is reading the footnotes by Dr. Simmons! Depending on the book and chapter, they take up over half the page as he describes why it’s translated the way it is, the deeper meaning of the scripture and it even provides some study points as well. When we heard that The Passion Translation was releasing the entire New Testament with Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs, we were all excited to get them and to start digging deeper into God’s Word. By far, The Passion Translation is one of the best Bible translations you can own! Whether you are a pastor, worship leader, youth pastor, children’s director, evangelist, or you work in the marketplace, The Passion Translation will give you a brand new sense of PASSION for God’s Word and his people. The cadence and word choices, sentence structure and emotive language all lend a hand in helping you to easily proclaim passages, clearly communicate God’s Word, and for listeners to understand the specific message God wants them to hear.
The Passion Translation Comparison
Okay, so by now you’re probably wondering how The Passion Translation compares to the more well-known translations out there. So let’s take a look at Psalm 23:1-6 from various translations to see how much they differ:
King James Version
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
New International Version
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
New Living Translation Version
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. 4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
The Passion Translation
1 The Lord is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough. 2 He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet brook of bliss. 3 That’s where he restores and revives my life. He opens before me pathways to God’s pleasure and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness so that I can bring honor to his name. 4 Lord, even when your path takes me through the valley of deepest darkness, fear will never conquer me, for you already have! You remain close to me and lead me through it all the way. Your authority is my strength and my peace. The comfort of your love takes away my fear. I’ll never be lonely, for you are near. 5 You become my delicious feast even when my enemies dare to fight. You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit; you give me all I can drink of you until my heart overflows. 6 So why would I fear the future? For your goodness and love pursue me all the days of my life. Then afterward, when my life is through, I’ll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you!
Where To Buy The Passion Translation?
To learn more about The Passion Translation and to purchase your copy today, visit thepassiontranslation.com. From there, you can get a free preview of the New Testament, plus the book of John for free! You can get the entire New Testament, Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs in 5 different leather-bound colors and 3 hardcover designs.
