This is a new translation of the Gospels by an excellent translator. The author tries to give the reader a feel and style of original texts. This new translation of the Gospels complements my own bible study and offers even more insights into the life and times of the Biblical world.. I enjoyed the scholarly approach to this translation, it was a good read. The well researched and in depth introduction really tells what the gospels are and how they fit into and became a part of the Bible. The book also has a nice glossary with the unfamiliar words in the Bible and transliterations of proper names. This is a must for Christians wanting to know more about the Bible and Jesus. A must have for any reader not just a biblical scholar.

A fresh rewording!

I like to read the Bible in different translations, to hear it in different words, to keep it from growing too familiar to my ear.

I'm happy to hear the four Gospel accounts in this new translation by Sarah Ruden. Her background as a Quaker must have helped her, as she put it, to "look first at a thing in itself" as she made the proper word choices.

I appreciate Ruden's invitation to "pursue my translation almost without pausing, which is what a scroll invited." We have grown detached from reading extended sections of texts as one long piece, so her advice is a welcome change.

Here is an example from several verses in Matthew 5, the Sermon on the Mount:

3 “Happy are those destitute in the life-breath, because theirs is the kingdom of the skies. 4 Happy are those who mourn, because they will be comforted. 5 Happy are the gentle, because they will be heirs of all the earth. 6 Happy are those starving and parched for justice, because they will have as much as they can eat."

10 "Happy are those hounded for the sake of justice, because theirs is the kingdom of the skies. 11 Happy are you when they insult you and hound you and say every kind of malicious thing about you [falsely] because of me. 12 Grow giddy with joy, because your wages in the skies will be generous. This, you see, is how they hounded the prophets who came before you."

I recommend The Gospels as an alternative reading for a fresh perspective on the message.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the review copy of this book.

The earliest pages explaining the ancient manuscripts we now call the Gospels, and how a translator works with them, were utterly fascinating. Koine Greek, Aramaic, we still only know so much.

Following that, there's a glossary of common words and how the Ruden has chosen to translate them. This insider scoop was very helpful.

The order is by date the books were written, Mark, Luke, Matthew and John. The translation keeps you on your toes, reading more like a literal translation than other translations or paraphrase we're more familiar with already.

Chapters and verses were used so the reader could follow along and partner with other translations. Example: Our father in the skies, let your name be spoken in holiness. Matthew 6:9b

I look forward to using this.

I read and study from many different versions of the Bible, most recently the Complete Jewish Bible. This new translation of the gospels complements by personal study and offers even more insights into the life and times of the biblical world. I appreciate the scholarly approach to this translation. The extensive and detailed introduction explains what the gospels are and how they came to be a part of the book we now call the Bible. Also included are a glossary of unfamiliar words and transliterations of proper names. These resources are placed at the beginning of the book so that the reader has a firm foundation of the purpose and methodology of the translation before actually reading it. The Gospels will be a welcome resource on my Bible study shelf and I expect to return to it time and time again in the course of my studies of scripture.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the early copy to read and review. All opinions are my own.