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IN T RO D U C T I O N T O T H E NEW L IV ING TR ANS L ATION
These normally occur for passages where an
aspect of the meaning is debated. On occasion,
we also provide notes on words or phrases that
represent a departure from long-standing tradition. These notes are prefaced with “Traditionally rendered.” For example, the footnote to the
translation “serious skin disease” at Leviticus
13:2 says: “Traditionally rendered leprosy. The
Hebrew word used throughout this passage is
used to describe various skin diseases.”
• When our translators follow a textual variant
that differs significantly from our standard
Hebrew or Greek texts (listed earlier), we document that difference with a footnote. We also
footnote cases when the NLT excludes a passage that is included in the Greek text known
as the Textus Receptus (and familiar to readers through its translation in the King James
Version). In such cases, we offer a translation
of the excluded text in a footnote, even though
it is generally recognized as a later addition
to the Greek text and not part of the original
Greek New Testament.
• All Old Testament passages that are quoted
in the New Testament are identified by a textual footnote at the New Testament location.
When the New Testament clearly quotes from
the Greek translation of the Old Testament,
and when it differs significantly in wording
from the Hebrew text, we also place a textual footnote at the Old Testament location.
This note includes a rendering of the Greek
version, along with a cross-reference to the
New Testament passage(s) where it is cited
(for example, see notes on Psalms 8:2; 53:3;
Proverbs 3:12).
• Some textual footnotes provide cultural and
historical information on places, things, and
people in the Bible that are probably obscure
to modern readers. Such notes should aid the
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reader in understanding the message of the
text. For example, in Acts 12:1, “King Herod”
is named in this translation as “King Herod
Agrippa” and is identified in a footnote as
being “the nephew of Herod Antipas and a
grandson of Herod the Great.”
• When the meaning of a proper name (or a
wordplay inherent in a proper name) is relevant to the meaning of the text, it is either illuminated with a textual footnote or included
within parentheses in the text itself. For
example, the footnote concerning the name
“Eve” at Genesis 3:20 reads: “Eve sounds like
a Hebrew term that means ‘to give life.’ ” This
wordplay in the Hebrew illuminates the meaning of the text, which goes on to say that Eve
“would be the mother of all who live.”
As we submit this translation for publication,
we recognize that any translation of the Scriptures is subject to limitations and imperfections.
Anyone who has attempted to communicate the
richness of God’s word into another language
will realize it is impossible to make a perfect
translation. Recognizing these limitations, we
sought God’s guidance and wisdom throughout
this project. Now we pray that he will accept our
efforts and use this translation for the benefit of
the church and of all people.
We pray that the New Living Translation
will overcome some of the barriers of history,
culture, and language that have kept people
from reading and understanding God’s word.
We hope that readers unfamiliar with the Bible
will find the words clear and easy to understand
and that readers well versed in the Scriptures
will gain a fresh perspective. We pray that
readers will gain insight and wisdom for living,
but most of all that they will meet the God of the
Bible and be forever changed by knowing him.
The Bible Translation Committee