Why Am I Using The New Living Translation (NLT) of the Bible More & More - Especially in Public Reading?

To answer my own question: Because it is a reliable, contemporary English translation from the earliest orginal language texts.  It is the work of solid Christian scholars. Finally, I think it reads well orally in public settings and facilitates understanding as I prepare to preach the text.  Worshippers at Celebration-Harderwyk will hear me reading from it more and more in that service.

These conclusions grow from my experience with the NLT over the past five years or so.  Currently, I'm about 75% through my second "Genesis-to-Revelation" reading of the NLT.  Indeed, I have grown to consider the NLT my preferred translation - especially for oral reading in public.

Please Note: The NLT Is NOT "the Living Bible" of the 1970's

As a "Jesus Revolution" high-schooler, the green Living Bible (LB) was our go-to version of the Bible.  Actually, it is better considered a paraphrase.  On the scale ranging from Word-For-Word Formal Equivalence on one side to the Thought-To-Thought Functional Equivalence on the other end, the Living Bible is very far to the Functional Equivalence side.  The NLT is a better balance between the two end-points.  Dig into the resource links below to learn more about this scale and the considerations involved in any work of translation.

The NLT is a completely different translation than my first Living Bible.  The NLT is a translation based on the original language texts where the LB began as a paraphrase for modern ears based on other English language translations.  The NLT is the careful, accountable work of a team of first-rate language scholars where the LB was more the work of a single person - Kenneth Taylor.  See the link to the Preface of the New Living Translation in the resources below to dig into the details of the NLT and you will better understand these differences.

But I've Heard That The NLT Leaves Out Verses!?!

Because I occasionally hear this as an honest question from people, I'm happy to address the concern with a full blog.  CLICK HERE for that

Keep Reading The Bible Translation You Will Read

While I am happy to share my thoughts and reasons for reading the NLT in our services, I am certainly on no crusade to change your Bible translation preferences or reading habits.  Keep reading, study and meditating through the text of whatever Bible translation you are using right now.  Perhaps consider getting a NLT to use along with or in parallel to whatever you are using.  Just keep feeding on God's Word and meeting Him in the text of the Bible.

Now, if you are not yet involved in regular reading, studying and meditating on the God's Word, the I absolutely WOULD encourage to start by using the NLT.  For all the reasons I've listed above.

And watch for my next post on a very helpful Bible reading plan by BibleProject.com that I am about to finish up.  It's been a great experience that includes helpful animated overviews and can be used on any digital device - smart phone, iPad/tablet or computer - and with any translation!  Yesterday is the perfect time to start a daily encounter with Jesus through the written word of the Bible.  So why not jump in right now?

Resources

Preface to the NLT

• This is the full preface to the NLT produced by it's publisher.  You can have free access through one of my favorite online Bible study sites: The Blue Letter Bible.  CLICK HERE

Complete Guide to Bible Versions: Comparison, History, and Philosophy of Top Bible Translations [Updated 2025]

• This is a great post on all aspects of translation with several easy to understand charts helping you connect those to specific Bible translations.  CLICK HERE for the full post.

Westminster Confession of Faith - Chapter 1 - On Scripture

• As an ordained Teaching Elder in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, I have publicly affirmed that I "sincerely receive and adopt the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Catechisms of this Church, as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures.  Here is the first chapter - entitled Holy Scripture - of the Westminster Confession in Modern English so you can better understand my own convictions.  CLICK HERE to read and/or download the first chapter.