The Voice is a dynamic translation of the Bible that seeks to capture the tone, voice, and heart of the original texts. Published in 2011 by Thomas Nelson Publishing, The Voice aims to make the Bible more accessible and easier to understand for modern readers.
Here are some key things to know about The Voice translation:
- It uses conversational language: The Voice uses contemporary language and grammar to make the Bible feel more relatable. For example, contractions are used (“don’t” instead of “do not”) along with common phrases like “hang in there.”
- It includes stage directions: The Voice adds stage directions to dialogue to help set the scene. Phrases like “with intensity” or “touching her shoulder reassuringly” are added.
- Explanatory material is included: Short explanations and notes are added in italics to clarify context, provide background information, and explain difficult concepts.
- Screenplay format is used: Dialogue is formatted to look like a screenplay, with character names in bold followed by their words. This helps the dialogue come alive.
- Poetic books use poetic formatting: Books like Psalms and Song of Songs are formatted with line breaks and spacing to reflect their poetic nature.
- It aims for thought-for-thought translation: Rather than word-for-word, The Voice focuses on conveying ideas and capturing the essence of what was meant.
- The theological view is Evangelical: The translation was done with an Evangelical theological perspective in mind.
- 120 scholars were involved: The translation was done by a team of over 120 scholars, authors, pastors, and artists.
Some advantages of The Voice translation include:
- Very readable: The conversational style makes it extremely readable and accessible.
- Brings the story to life: The screenplay format makes biblical stories engaging and dramatic.
- Clarifies meaning: Explanatory notes help readers better grasp concepts and meaning.
- Retains poetry: The poetic formatting retains the beauty and impact of poetic passages.
- Modern tone: The modern language connects with contemporary readers.
Potential drawbacks of The Voice include:
- Not literal enough for some: People accustomed to more literal translations may find it too free or interpretive.
- Meaning could be obscured: At times the meaning may be obscured by the explanatory material or stage directions.
- Adds a lot of content: Explanations and formatting not in original texts add a lot of content not inspired by God.
- Theatrical tone: Some may find the dramatic tone overdone or distracting.
- Evangelical bias: The Evangelical perspective influences interpretation choices.
Overall, The Voice offers a fresh, engaging approach to Bible reading geared for today’s audience. Its conversational tone and creative format bring the stories to life. However, it does take significant liberties with adding content and paraphrasing, so may not suit those desiring a more literal translation. It aims to make the Bible clear and relatable, though some meanings can get altered or obscured. But for many, it provides an accessible doorway into connecting with the Bible’s message.
Here are some examples of how The Voice translates certain Bible passages:
John 3:16
The Voice: For God expressed His love for the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life.
ESV: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
The Voice version uses “expressed His love” instead of “loved” and adds explanatory phrases like “in this way” and “will not face everlasting destruction” to clarify the meaning for readers.
Psalm 23
The Voice:
Eternal One: The Eternal is my shepherd;
I am never in need.
He makes me rest in green meadows;
He leads me to calm waters.
He gives me new strength.
He guides me in the proper paths
for the good of His name.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid;
You are with me;
Your rod and staff comfort me.
You prepare a table for me right in front of my enemies.
You bathe my head in oil;
my cup is so full it spills over!
Yes, goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life,
And I will live in the Eternal’s house as long as I live.
ESV: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
The Voice sets Psalm 23 like a script with character names and uses more conversational phrasing like “never in need” and “new strength.” The ESV is more literal.
Romans 12:1-2
The Voice: So brothers and sisters, in light of all I have shared with you about God’s mercies, I urge you to offer your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice to God, a sacred offering that brings Him pleasure; this is your appropriate priestly service. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its mold; but be transformed, as your mind is renewed, by the Spirit’s power to discern what is the will of God—what is good and beautiful and true.
ESV: I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Again The Voice simplifies the language using “brothers and sisters” and “offer your bodies” compared to the more formal ESV. It adds clarifying phrases like “as your mind is renewed.”
Overall, The Voice aims to make the Bible accessible through modern language, formatting, and explanatory additions. It captures the conversational tone and makes stories dramatic. But it is a freer translation than formal equivalents like ESV. Some meanings get altered or obscured, so study and comparing versions is still advised.
The Voice is a good option for people new to the Bible or who want an engaging, story-like experience. But those desiring deep study may prefer a more literal translation. It offers a creative way to interact with Scripture, though some meanings do get changed in translation choices. In the end, The Voice provides a refreshing way to connect with God’s Word for modern readers.
Some other examples of how The Voice translates passages include:
Genesis 1:1-5
The Voice
In the beginning, God created everything: the heavens above and the earth below. Here’s what happened: At first the earth lacked shape and was totally empty, and a dark fog draped over the deep while God’s spirit brooded over the waters. God spoke into the void, “Let there be light,” and there was light! God saw that the light was good, so He divided the light from the darkness. God named the light day, and the darkness night. Together the light and the dark created the evening and the morning of the very first day.
ESV
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
The Voice adds more detail like “shapeless and empty” and dramatizes God speaking. The ESV is more literal.
Psalm 51:1-2
The Voice
God, be compassionate to me in Your faithful love.
Wipe away my wrongdoings according to Your great compassion!
Wash me completely clean of my guilt;
purify me from my sin.
ESV
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
Again The Voice simplifies and clarifies the language, while the ESV is more literal.
Matthew 28:18-20
The Voice
Jesus (with passion): I have been given all authority in heaven and earth! Therefore, go and make disciples in all the nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to faithfully follow all that I have commanded you, and know that I am with you always, even to the end of this age.
ESV
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The Voice adds stage directions to dramatize it as well as simplifying the language, while ESV is more formal.
These examples illustrate how The Voice aims to make Scripture engaging through the use of modern language, formatting, and explanatory additions. While this can help connect readers to the text, it does come at the cost of literalness and word-for-word accuracy. So The Voice offers a creative retelling that is very accessible, but should be read alongside more formal translations for in-depth study.
Some key Bible verses translated in The Voice include:
Matthew 6:9-13 (Lord’s Prayer)
Our Father who art in heaven: May Your name be kept holy. May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have sinned against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
John 11:35 (Jesus weeps)
Jesus burst into tears.
Psalm 46:10 (Be still and know)
Stand silent! Know that I am God. I am exalted among all nations; I am exalted over all the earth.
Jeremiah 29:11 (Plans to prosper)
I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for.
Philippians 4:13 (I can do all things)
I can endure all these things through the power of the Anointed One who gives me strength.
In these examples we see simplification of language, some paraphrasing for clarity, and explanatory additions. The aim is to make the Bible straightforward and relatable to modern readers.
In summary, The Voice Bible translation aims to capture the tone and heart of Scripture in a fresh, engaging way. It uses screenplay format, poetic layout, and modern language to make the text come alive. While this provides an accessible reading experience, it does take liberties in adding content and paraphrasing. So for in-depth study, it should be used alongside more literal translations. But for many, The Voice offers a creative and compelling way to interact with God’s Word.