Translation captures emotion of Scriptures’ original languages

BroadStreet Publishing announces the launch of The Passion Translation Bible beginning with seven titles: The Psalms: Poetry on Fire; Proverbs: Wisdom From Above; Song of Songs: Divine Romance; Luke and Acts: To the Lovers of God; John: Eternal Love; Letters From Heaven: By the Apostle Paul (Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1 and 2 Timothy), and Hebrews and James: Faith Works.:

Developed by a team led by linguist, missionary and author Dr. Brian Simmons, the new translation (thepassiontranslation.com) recaptures some of the “lost language” missing from translations that have not fully captured the emotional meanings and implications of Scripture. The new translation incorporates the ancient Aramaic scripture.

“Aramaic and Hebrew are related linguistically, and both are considered to be passionate and poetic,” Simmons said. “Greek speaks to the mind, while Aramaic-Hebrew speaks powerfully to the heart. By referencing the text written in the very language in which Jesus taught, and then overlaying that with the Greek, we are able to translate the root meanings of the Scriptures in a new, fresh way.”

The translation aims to add a spiritual dynamic by delving into the Aramaic texts along with the Greek to provide contemporary readers with an understanding of the emotion and nuance found in the original writings.

“Words are containers for truth,” Simmons said. “Every generation needs a relevant, accurate translation that speaks to them. Our approach to translating Scripture includes an emphasis on the original emotive intent of the text.

“God refuses to meet us only in an intellectual way,” he added. “God wants to meet us at heart level, so, with this translation, we are aiming for the words to go heart-deep and allow people to encounter the heart of God.”

Simmons said it was his aim to translate the original languages so that English speakers “have the same response as the original hearer when they first heard.”

Simmons is the U.S. director for Harvest International Ministries. As a missionary, he and his wife, Candice, pioneered church plants in Central America. As a linguist, he co-translated the Kuna New Testament for the Paya-Kuna people of Panama.

Even before the full Bible is released in the new translation, it has touched more than 100,000 lives through an initial version of a few completed books. The other books of the Bible are in the process of translation and will be released in stages by 2017, when the entire work will be complete. —Johnson

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