Rating: 
Summary: Diversity of form,depth of content and persuasive teachings
Review: AMAZON.COM'S FAQ:
What book would you take with you to a desert island?
ANS: The Bible.It took me a year to go through it living in this busy world, it will keep me busy on a desert island.
It imbued me with a sense of purpose in this senseless world,
it's bound to give me direction in an island in the middle of
nowhere.
It reminded me of God's protection in this cruel world,it
will assure me of God's presence on a lonely island.
It showed me the beauty of God's creation in this polluted
world,it will open my eyes to the wonders of a deserted island.
It explained why I was living in this hellish world,
It will make me understand why the hell I am living on a deserted island.
It told me about Jonah who lived in the belly of a fish,
Now,I would rather live on the deserted island.
I never quite got started on Milton's "Paradise Lost",
But I think I enjoyed the Psalms every bit.
It taught me right and wrong in a World of relativity,
I am sure the seeds of truth therein will keep me firmly rooted
on a deserted, windswept island.
Need i go further? Read it for yourself, you never know what
treasure you may find while marooned on that deserted island.
Rating:
Summary: The Bible is always 5 star!
Review: As I write this review, I notice only one other. It says that this Bible is a translation. It is not! It is a paraphrase, and there is a vast difference!
Rating:
Summary: A book that made me to enjoy reding the Bible
Review: I wanted to have a job that enables me to read this bible every
second.
Finally I decided to be a reverend.
Rating: 
Summary: Too many liberties taken
Review: Most people do not use two translations in their Bible reading, one for reading one for study. Most find a translation they like and stick with it, without going into the deeper meaning or looking for alternate renderings. It is for this reason that I can not recommend in good conscience this paraphrase. The textual liberties that are taken are to be expected, after all this is a paraphrase not a translation. However, the liberties taken in the footnotes are even more egregious. Take as an example the footnote to Ecclesiastes 9: 5, 10. It there states "these words are Solomon's discouraged opinion and do not reflect the truth of God's word on this point." What right does a translator or paraphraser have to simply write off passages of the Bible that conflict with their doctrine? Within the text itself, there are similar examples - Job 1:4 has Job's sons celebrating their birthdays, something never even considered by the ancient Jews and certainly not an accurate rendering of the original text. Acts 15:29 states that Gentiles who turn to God must obey our Jewish laws. This is exactly the opposite of the decision of that group, namely that the Mosaic Law not be imposed as a burden on these newly converted Gentiles. I could go on, but the point is made. This is a book with an agenda, an agenda that takes little note of faithfulness to the original meaning of the text.
Rating:
Summary: The Living Bible is the easiest to understand.
Review: Out of all the translations of the Bible from the original Hebrew and Greek, or from Latin translations, the Living Bible seems to me to be the easiest to read. Some places like Ecclesiastes 12, for example, are really hard to understand in the other translations. It matches my American dialect of the English language perfectly. Although we are not allowed to reveal the secret ending of the book in these reviews, let me just say that this book leads to a wonderful world, full of Light and Love, by filling the world with our own light and love and forgiveness.
Rating:
Summary: A "translation", not a substitute!
Review: The centuries-old King James Version is, for many, the definitive translation of the Holy Scriptures. There are times, however, when that interpretation is confusing to modern readers. Thus, The Living Bible plays an important place in the true understanding of what has been credited to authors of the text. It is an invaluable asset for those seeking to totally follow THE WORD. As one that frequently must refer to the Bible, I find this book to be invaluable in my comprehension and appreciation of Christian precepts. For those seeking particular passages, the book offers a handy reference of helpful consolation on a variety of concerns. It is not a replacement; it is a welcome "extension".
Rating:
Summary: A "translation", not a substitute!
Review: The centuries-old King James Version is, for many, the definitive translation of the Holy Scriptures. There are times, however, when that interpretation is confusing to modern readers. Thus, The Living Bible plays an important place in the true understanding of what has been credited to authors of the text. It is an invaluable asset for those seeking to totally follow THE WORD. As one that frequently must refer to the Bible, I find this book to be invaluable in my comprehension and appreciation of Christian precepts. For those seeking particular passages, the book offers a handy reference of helpful consolation on a variety of concerns. It is not a replacement; it is a welcome "extension".
Rating:
Summary: Excellent paraphrase!
Review: The Living Bible continues to be one of the premier paraphrases in the world of English Bibles today. Unlike other paraphrases (such as the New Living Translation (NLT)), the Living Bible reads much more smoothly, as it was the result of one man's efforts and his one voice. As with other paraphrases, the Living Bible is not truly a translation, but a free interpretation of the actual Scripture text - so essentially, it is a commentary in the form of a Bible. I find it helpful to read from the Living Bible for my devotions, but for serious, in-depth Bible study, I recommend using a much more literal translation, such as the New King James Version (NKJV). The Living Bible was the work of Kenneth Taylor, who wanted something much more easily understandable for his family than the King James Version (KJV); also, the Living Bible was paraphrased from the American Standard Version (ASV) - not the KJV.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent paraphrase!
Review: The Living Bible continues to be one of the premier paraphrases in the world of English Bibles today. Unlike other paraphrases (such as the New Living Translation (NLT)), the Living Bible reads much more smoothly, as it was the result of one man's efforts and his one voice. As with other paraphrases, the Living Bible is not truly a translation, but a free interpretation of the actual Scripture text - so essentially, it is a commentary in the form of a Bible. I find it helpful to read from the Living Bible for my devotions, but for serious, in-depth Bible study, I recommend using a much more literal translation, such as the New King James Version (NKJV). The Living Bible was the work of Kenneth Taylor, who wanted something much more easily understandable for his family than the King James Version (KJV); also, the Living Bible was paraphrased from the American Standard Version (ASV) - not the KJV.
Rating:
Summary: Most Readable, Least Reliable
Review: This is not a translation from the original biblical languages. It is a paraphrase of the good old King James Version. As such, it shares the KJV's textual shortcomings. Linguistic ambiguity of the KJV text gives way to the author's interpretation. This enhances readability, but removes the biblical student further from the original text. A great way to read the Bible as literature, but not a good study Bible. I managed to cruise through this version, cover to cover, begats & all, when I was 15. It's a trip everybody in Western culture should take at least once. The Living Bible makes it far less daunting than it used to be. 5 stars for readability. 2 stars for the quality of the text. Several more modern translations, such as the New International Version, make much better compromises. (If you'd like to respond to this review, please click on the "about me" link above & drop me an email. Thanks!)
| 
