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WTS Bible Translations
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, with References
binding in good condition, no markings interior/exterior
1586 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1961
266 people are currently reading
614 people want to read
About the author
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
371 books669 followersThe Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania is a nonprofit corporation formed in 1884 under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, U.S.A. It is used by Jehovah’s Witnesses to support their worldwide work, which includes publishing Bibles and Bible-based literature.
According to its charter, the corporation’s purposes are “religious, educational, and charitable,” in particular, to “preach and teach the gospel of God’s Kingdom under Christ Jesus.” Membership in the corporation is by invitation only and is not based on how much a person has donated. The corporation members and directors assist the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
According to its charter, the corporation’s purposes are “religious, educational, and charitable,” in particular, to “preach and teach the gospel of God’s Kingdom under Christ Jesus.” Membership in the corporation is by invitation only and is not based on how much a person has donated. The corporation members and directors assist the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
October 2, 2011
I am an 11 year old girl. I read the bible and meditate on it each day. I am a Jehovah's Witness. My mom is a full time pioneer and my goal is to follow her footsteps. This book gives me inspiration and hope for the future. I love it and continue to read it. I find it hard to put it down. Jehovah's Witnesses try to encourage bible reading throughout the world. The bible is God's word. "That people may know that you whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the most high over all the earth." Psalms 83:18. So I leave you with this, whatever the case may be, you can always pray to Jehovah for guidance, making sure that you end your prayer in his son Jesus Christ's name. After all, he did give his life for us so that we could have everlasting life here on earth." "For God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten son in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be distoyed, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 Another comforting thought is found at Revelation 21:4 "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will morning nor outcry nor pain be any more. The former things have passed away." It is truly inspiring.
December 24, 2007
"All scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work." - 2 Timothy 3:16,17.
Currently reading
February 11, 2010This is of couse the best book ever written, and the best translation available. I recommend it for everyone!
March 28, 2019
no other book like this. Amazing read. Saved my life.
January 5, 2008
Clearest translation ever!
November 25, 2008
Now, this is the book that help you to save your life. The bible is the most profound book that I have ever read. I am still reading and learning from it. I study from it daily. I never tire of it and can actually picture in my mind the people who are depicted in it. I meditate on the scriptures and learn daily with this book.
I highly recommend it to everyone who truly wants to live forever and to be able to see your your loved ones again, here on the earth in real life.
You will have the possiblity to be able to live forever here on the earth, as Jehovah's Kingdom will rule once again here on the earth and he promises no sickness, no death and he will have a princely rule by Jesus Christ. No more sickness, no more death, no more aging, a worldwide healing by Jesus. Who would'nt want that?
THIS IS NO Faiytale. This is a prophecy that will come true. Revelations 21:3,4.
I highly recommend it to everyone who truly wants to live forever and to be able to see your your loved ones again, here on the earth in real life.
You will have the possiblity to be able to live forever here on the earth, as Jehovah's Kingdom will rule once again here on the earth and he promises no sickness, no death and he will have a princely rule by Jesus Christ. No more sickness, no more death, no more aging, a worldwide healing by Jesus. Who would'nt want that?
THIS IS NO Faiytale. This is a prophecy that will come true. Revelations 21:3,4.
August 10, 2008
This is my lifeline. Without it I would have no hope.
Currently reading
October 27, 2009Awesome
September 24, 2011
This is actually a collection of books put together by the Catholic church about 300 years after the last characters in the stories had died. It's in 2 major parts.
Part 1: The Old Testament
This consists of myths mostly copied from the myths of other primitive cultures. The original versions of these stories had many gods, but these had been edited out for the most part in an effort to rewrite history by people who were embarrassed by their polytheistic past. I think this is a shame since the polytheistic stories are more entertaining. The main god who made the cut was "Jehovah" or "Yahweh" who in the original versions was the character of the God of War. This character like similar god characters is jealous and cruel. He delights in death and has no problem with genocide. One part that makes these stories hard to read is that women basically had about as much rights as animals, and the characters were not at all bothered by the death of women.
Part 2: The New Testament
This section is mostly about one main character - a half-human demigod who claims to be the son of the god of war from part 1. These stories were written by a few different authors agree very little on the actual details of the story. This demigod character shares some of his father's traits, but is much milder tempered. I think the worst attribute he shares with his father is his racism. He would only share his message of salvation with people of his own nation (Jews). He felt that people from other nations were beneath him. But after he died, a man who had not previously met him came along and decided to make a franchise out of this demigod story, and he spread it to non-Jews (claiming that the ghost of the demigod told him this was OK). Part 2 is not nearly as gruesome as part one, but the stories aren't very entertaining either. Mostly squabbles between the demigod's followers. The only highlight is the trial and execution of the main character and subsequent zombie invasion of the city (this part is sadly glossed over for the most part). And there's some apparently drug induced hallucinations at the end which have disturbing imagery, but no substance.
I find it funny that most people who love this book, and there are many, have never actually read it. Having an old fart tell you what a book is about does not count as reading it.
Part 1: The Old Testament
This consists of myths mostly copied from the myths of other primitive cultures. The original versions of these stories had many gods, but these had been edited out for the most part in an effort to rewrite history by people who were embarrassed by their polytheistic past. I think this is a shame since the polytheistic stories are more entertaining. The main god who made the cut was "Jehovah" or "Yahweh" who in the original versions was the character of the God of War. This character like similar god characters is jealous and cruel. He delights in death and has no problem with genocide. One part that makes these stories hard to read is that women basically had about as much rights as animals, and the characters were not at all bothered by the death of women.
Part 2: The New Testament
This section is mostly about one main character - a half-human demigod who claims to be the son of the god of war from part 1. These stories were written by a few different authors agree very little on the actual details of the story. This demigod character shares some of his father's traits, but is much milder tempered. I think the worst attribute he shares with his father is his racism. He would only share his message of salvation with people of his own nation (Jews). He felt that people from other nations were beneath him. But after he died, a man who had not previously met him came along and decided to make a franchise out of this demigod story, and he spread it to non-Jews (claiming that the ghost of the demigod told him this was OK). Part 2 is not nearly as gruesome as part one, but the stories aren't very entertaining either. Mostly squabbles between the demigod's followers. The only highlight is the trial and execution of the main character and subsequent zombie invasion of the city (this part is sadly glossed over for the most part). And there's some apparently drug induced hallucinations at the end which have disturbing imagery, but no substance.
I find it funny that most people who love this book, and there are many, have never actually read it. Having an old fart tell you what a book is about does not count as reading it.
January 22, 2008
Currently reading and will continue to read for the rest of my life. Life giving bread a spiritual feast.
July 16, 2008
The one, the only, the best book EVER!
February 26, 2010
the best book EVER written. This is the most accurate translation of the original manuscripts you will ever find, and it is truely a life saver. Seriously~ if you read this book and follow what is outlined in it, then you can have everlasting life! No joke! You will live forever! So~ go read it! And don't worry about how long it takes you to read it. Some people can do it in a few months, other people take 2 years! But you definitely need to read and meditate on what it says!
February 9, 2010
Best Bible translation period. Literal throughout, but discerning enough to know when a word for word translation would throw the English reader off. Not pressured by clumsy wording to support false doctrines. Uses the divine name throughout. Modern English. Most accurate Bible I have ever read.
August 25, 2011
I've read from many versions of the Bible. This is the first version I have read cover to cover. I find this translation to be clear and direct. A friend who is a Greek Scholar has read from some of the oldest manuscripts. He told me that the New World Translation of the Greek (New Testament) is the most accurate he has every come across. In his opinion no one can improve on this translation of the Greek Scriptures into English.
February 10, 2008
My first Biblical reading was from this. I began to notice some differences between this and my family's King Jimmy on the book shelf.
March 10, 2008
I just couldn't put it down!
August 6, 2016
This translation uses God's name, Jehovah, whereas many other editions refuse to use His name!
I personally find the Bible to be very upbuilding and uplifting; it gives a wonderful hope for the future, and contains many prophecies that are a wonder to watch and see fulfillment. It's a great comfort in times of distress. (: 2 Timothy 3 v 16~
I personally find the Bible to be very upbuilding and uplifting; it gives a wonderful hope for the future, and contains many prophecies that are a wonder to watch and see fulfillment. It's a great comfort in times of distress. (: 2 Timothy 3 v 16~
October 22, 2009
Jehovah is the name of our heavenly Father. And that Jehovah truly is the only true God and that HE is the author of the Bible
August 28, 2014
If you don't give the Bible five stars... you're seriously asking to get hit by a bus.
I've read this book dozens of times in my life.
I've read this book dozens of times in my life.
January 29, 2019
This is one of the most readable translations of the Holy Bible for the modern reader. It's also one of the more accurately translated versions of the Bible; accurate to the point of being the version most likely to offend the sort of Christian who prefers traditional errancy to accuracy. By the same cause, it's also the version least likely to offend Muslims, and a number of Muslim authors prefer it when quoting the Tawrat, Nabi, Injeel, and Rasule.
On this point, a number of modern translations reject the spurious trinitarian text in 1 John 5:7,8. However, rejecting an eisegetic rendering in John 1:1 is more rare.
Most translators translate John 1:1 under the pressure of a long tradition of eisegesis, and from churches who will not use their translation of the Bible if they translate correctly; in some cases, translators have been seduced by circular reasoning to actually believe that belief justifies eisegesis, as if "Jesus is God, so John must have meant that Jesus is God".
However, when this verse is translated with accurate knowledge of ancient Greek grammar - which had no indefinite article - since this sentence used the definite article with both instances of "word", but only with the instance of "god" stating with whom the Word is, it is clear that John wrote that the Word is "a god", "godlike", "in god's form", or "divine", rather than "God"
In the original language, the instance of "God" with whom the Word was, is τὸν θεόν (ton The‧on′), or "the god" in English, indicating God Almighty, or the Father. In contrast, the instance of "God" whom the Word was, is θεὸς (the‧os′), which word has no definite article, and according to correct grammar, the definite article cannot accompany this word, because its meaning is qualitative, rather than identifying. Therefore, it cannot mean, "the god", or God Almighty".
However, possibly the best-known controversy about the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, (NWT), is the restoration of God's name within the Christian scriptures as well as in the Hebrew scriptures. People who knowingly use versions of the Bible in which more than 6800 instances of God's name are paraphrased as "the Lord" or "God", seem offended that others use a version of the Bible in which they believe 237 instances of the word, "Lord" have been paraphrased as God's name.
These 237 instances are those in which the Christian scriptures are recognized to quote from passages of the Hebrew scriptures that contain God's name. Fragments of the Septuagint closest in age to the time of Jesus' ministry still contained the name, in the form of the Tetragrammaton.
According to David Bauscher, translator of the Aramaic Bible in Plain English, these instances coincide with his finding of God's name in manuscripts of the Peshitta, (he found 239 instances).
To translate the Tetragrammaton, NWT uses the same spelling, Jehovah, as found in earlier translations. Regardless whether this is the most accurate transliteration of God's name, it was the only accepted spelling in the English language when the NWT was translated.
When Israelites spoke Hebrew, they pronounced God's name, יהוה, with three syllables, and later, after Babylonian exile, and spoke Aramaic, they pronounced it with two syllables. A shorter version of God's name, יה, used in Psalms and Isaiah, is one syllable. As much as Israel and Judah did that offended God, He never complained about this!
Jehovah, as we pronounce it, is an English mispronunciation of a Germanic transliteration of God's Hebrew name. Yahweh is a newer English transliteration of the Aramaic translation of God's Hebrew name, from which one syllable went missing. Both are second-hand and imperfect, but considering that God allowed His name to be written with as few as one syllable in the Bible, who are we to criticize anyone who who spells or pronounces His name with one more or less syllables than we?
On this point, a number of modern translations reject the spurious trinitarian text in 1 John 5:7,8. However, rejecting an eisegetic rendering in John 1:1 is more rare.
Most translators translate John 1:1 under the pressure of a long tradition of eisegesis, and from churches who will not use their translation of the Bible if they translate correctly; in some cases, translators have been seduced by circular reasoning to actually believe that belief justifies eisegesis, as if "Jesus is God, so John must have meant that Jesus is God".
However, when this verse is translated with accurate knowledge of ancient Greek grammar - which had no indefinite article - since this sentence used the definite article with both instances of "word", but only with the instance of "god" stating with whom the Word is, it is clear that John wrote that the Word is "a god", "godlike", "in god's form", or "divine", rather than "God"
In the original language, the instance of "God" with whom the Word was, is τὸν θεόν (ton The‧on′), or "the god" in English, indicating God Almighty, or the Father. In contrast, the instance of "God" whom the Word was, is θεὸς (the‧os′), which word has no definite article, and according to correct grammar, the definite article cannot accompany this word, because its meaning is qualitative, rather than identifying. Therefore, it cannot mean, "the god", or God Almighty".
However, possibly the best-known controversy about the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, (NWT), is the restoration of God's name within the Christian scriptures as well as in the Hebrew scriptures. People who knowingly use versions of the Bible in which more than 6800 instances of God's name are paraphrased as "the Lord" or "God", seem offended that others use a version of the Bible in which they believe 237 instances of the word, "Lord" have been paraphrased as God's name.
These 237 instances are those in which the Christian scriptures are recognized to quote from passages of the Hebrew scriptures that contain God's name. Fragments of the Septuagint closest in age to the time of Jesus' ministry still contained the name, in the form of the Tetragrammaton.
According to David Bauscher, translator of the Aramaic Bible in Plain English, these instances coincide with his finding of God's name in manuscripts of the Peshitta, (he found 239 instances).
To translate the Tetragrammaton, NWT uses the same spelling, Jehovah, as found in earlier translations. Regardless whether this is the most accurate transliteration of God's name, it was the only accepted spelling in the English language when the NWT was translated.
When Israelites spoke Hebrew, they pronounced God's name, יהוה, with three syllables, and later, after Babylonian exile, and spoke Aramaic, they pronounced it with two syllables. A shorter version of God's name, יה, used in Psalms and Isaiah, is one syllable. As much as Israel and Judah did that offended God, He never complained about this!
Jehovah, as we pronounce it, is an English mispronunciation of a Germanic transliteration of God's Hebrew name. Yahweh is a newer English transliteration of the Aramaic translation of God's Hebrew name, from which one syllable went missing. Both are second-hand and imperfect, but considering that God allowed His name to be written with as few as one syllable in the Bible, who are we to criticize anyone who who spells or pronounces His name with one more or less syllables than we?
September 22, 2014
Excellent version of the Holy Bible! I would highly recommend this book. Because, although I had read the Holy Bible years ago and even took a class in high school titled "Bible As Literature," this edition of the Holy Bible enabled me to better understand exactly what our Heavenly Father wants from His children. Past editions confused me a little. I feel this edition explains Father, Son, and The Holy Spirit much, much better than the editions I had read in the past; both in school and at home.
Currently reading
February 16, 2009A must read.....daily. Inspiration, direction, reflection and motivation.
May 24, 2012
The book that can really change and save lives. It transformed mine. And I strongly believe that it is God's word. I was 9 when I started reading this. And my goal since then was to finish reading the entire bible. After long years of battling against unnecessary activities, I was able to finish reading the book last year. And I'm reading it again but this time, I'm giving myself a chance to meditate on each chapter, to determine why God decided such chapter to be included in His book and how should it affect my life.
I have just finished reading the book of Ruth last night.
I have just finished reading the book of Ruth last night.
January 27, 2010
What can I say? It's the Bible.
This is a daily re-read for me.
This is a daily re-read for me.
May 2, 2010
If I had to only keep one book my whole life, this would be it. :)
March 7, 2019
The translation is from the original Hebrew Aramaic and Greek text. It is a very responsible thing to translate the Holy Scriptures from their original languages of Hebrew,Aramaic Greek into modern speech. Translating the Holy Scriptures means rendering into another language the thoughts sayings of Jehovah God, the heavenly Author of this sacred library of 66 books that holy men of long ago were inspired to write down for our benefit today.
That is a very sobering thought. The translators of this work, who fear love the Divine Author of the Holy Scriptures, feel toward Him a special responsibility to transmit his thoughts declarations as accurately as possible. They also feel a responsibility toward the searching readers who depend upon a translation of the inspired Word of the Most High God for their everlasting salvation.
It was w/ such a sense of solemn responsibility that over the course of many years this committee of dedicated men have produced the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. The entire work was originally released in 6 volumes, from 1950-1960. From the start it was desire of the translators to have all these volumes brought together into 1 book, inasmuch as the Holy Scriptures are in actuality 1 book by the One Author. While the original volumes contained marginal references footnotes, the revised 1-volume edition, released in1961, contained neither footnotes nor marginal references. A 2nd revision was released in 1970 a 3rd revision w/ footnotes followed in 1971. in 1969 the committee released The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures, which presented under the Greek text revised by Westcott Hort (1948 Reprint) a literal word-for-word translation into English. During the past 34 years the New World Translation has been translated in part or its entirety into 10 other languages, w/ a total printing distrubution surpassing 39 million.
This new edition is not just a refinement of the translated text beyond its already previous revisions, but it has been expanded to include a complete updating revision of the marginal (cross) references that were initially presented in English, from 1950-1960.
This 1984 revision has been released by us to the Watch Tower Bible Tract Society of Pennsylvania for printing, translation into other languages distribution. We thus make it available with a deep sense of gratitude to the Divine Author of the Holy Scriptures, who has prilieged us in whose spirit we have trusted in producing this revision. We pray for his blessing upon those who use this translation for spiritual advancement.
That is a very sobering thought. The translators of this work, who fear love the Divine Author of the Holy Scriptures, feel toward Him a special responsibility to transmit his thoughts declarations as accurately as possible. They also feel a responsibility toward the searching readers who depend upon a translation of the inspired Word of the Most High God for their everlasting salvation.
It was w/ such a sense of solemn responsibility that over the course of many years this committee of dedicated men have produced the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. The entire work was originally released in 6 volumes, from 1950-1960. From the start it was desire of the translators to have all these volumes brought together into 1 book, inasmuch as the Holy Scriptures are in actuality 1 book by the One Author. While the original volumes contained marginal references footnotes, the revised 1-volume edition, released in1961, contained neither footnotes nor marginal references. A 2nd revision was released in 1970 a 3rd revision w/ footnotes followed in 1971. in 1969 the committee released The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures, which presented under the Greek text revised by Westcott Hort (1948 Reprint) a literal word-for-word translation into English. During the past 34 years the New World Translation has been translated in part or its entirety into 10 other languages, w/ a total printing distrubution surpassing 39 million.
This new edition is not just a refinement of the translated text beyond its already previous revisions, but it has been expanded to include a complete updating revision of the marginal (cross) references that were initially presented in English, from 1950-1960.
This 1984 revision has been released by us to the Watch Tower Bible Tract Society of Pennsylvania for printing, translation into other languages distribution. We thus make it available with a deep sense of gratitude to the Divine Author of the Holy Scriptures, who has prilieged us in whose spirit we have trusted in producing this revision. We pray for his blessing upon those who use this translation for spiritual advancement.
November 23, 2013
For this book I feel like the author really used the aspect of conflict very well throughout the book. I feel like this craft was covered extremely well because each type of conflict is covered in the Bible. Person against person, person against nature (or spirit creatures), and most of all, internal conflict is covered. For example person against person is covered in the story of Cain and Abel, where Cain decides to kill his brother Abel because Abel’s sacrifices are valued by God more than his. Person against Nature is highlighted in the story of Noah’s flood when the people of earth were so evil and so disobedient to God that he felt that he had to cleanse the earth of everyone except Noah and his family. Internal conflict is highlighted in Paul’s letters where he mentions that in his mind he wants to do nothing but God’s will but his actions by his body show that he is a slave to sin and how he struggles fighting his own desires each day.
I would not have any suggestions for the author because I feel the use of conflict in this text was masterful and serves as a model down to this day of how conflict is properly described, written out, and delivered. An idea I would take from this text is how there is a reason given to both sides for why the conflict has occurred. It does not matter whether a character is good or evil; both sides of the conflict are explained. An example that I would use to explain that is the conflict between Saul and David. David (good guy) wanted to be king and knew he would be the king because he was anointed by Jehovah and Saul (bad guy) did not want David to take his fame, shine, and honor of being the king away so he was constantly looking for ways to kill David. Both sides of this person against person conflict are shown and that is great writing that could be used in a mini lesson on how to structure a captivating story in my opinion.
I would not have any suggestions for the author because I feel the use of conflict in this text was masterful and serves as a model down to this day of how conflict is properly described, written out, and delivered. An idea I would take from this text is how there is a reason given to both sides for why the conflict has occurred. It does not matter whether a character is good or evil; both sides of the conflict are explained. An example that I would use to explain that is the conflict between Saul and David. David (good guy) wanted to be king and knew he would be the king because he was anointed by Jehovah and Saul (bad guy) did not want David to take his fame, shine, and honor of being the king away so he was constantly looking for ways to kill David. Both sides of this person against person conflict are shown and that is great writing that could be used in a mini lesson on how to structure a captivating story in my opinion.
November 18, 2008
The OLDEST known documentation of God's dealings with mankind. Of why things were and are, of where we came from, of why we are here, of where we're going. It answers one of the most profound questions ever raised by humankind: "What is the Meaning of Life?" It is packed with action, drama, love, hate, greed, lust, desires, longings, poetry, songs, prayers, meditations, prophecies fulfilled, being fulfilled in our time, and yet to be fulfilled. To read it, to follow and understand intently the stories will keep you at the edge of your seat. Though ancient, it provides timeless wisdom and practical guidance for our day. A must read for people from all walks of life, young and old, of different faiths and nationalities.
November 20, 2010
I have read the (Authorized) King James Version twice, and one reading of the following: The New King James Version, the New International Version, the Good News Bible along with the New World Translation. Some people believe that the NWT is a poor translation because of its association with the Jehovah's Witnesses, but it proves to be a highly reliable translation;however, my many readings and study of the scriptures over many years finally converted me to become a born again Atheist, and THANK god for that!
December 8, 2016
This is not a good translation (I read both biblical Greek and Hebrew). The New World Translation comes from the Watchtower Society and is intended to reflect the theology of Jehovah's Witnesses. The compilers of this version simply dismissed significant amounts of scholarly work and appear to have applied rules of translation arbitrarily.
Almost ANY other version of the Bible (NRSV, NIV, CEB) would be a better choice.
Almost ANY other version of the Bible (NRSV, NIV, CEB) would be a better choice.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews