Rating: 
Summary: Provides Fresh, Accurate Insight
Review: Those reviewers who think that this translation is called the Complete Jewish Bible in order to 'trap' unsuspecting Jews into reading the New Testament have not read the authors information available on the first pages of the book. While writing this book to show the Jewishness of the New Testament to Jew and Gentile, the book can hardly be concidered deceptive...a glance at the back of the book or the table of contents will remind the reader that 'Bible' does not refer only to the Tanakh, so any Jew should realize that there is something else here.For followers of Yeshua, however, this is a good translation that deserves it's spot on your study shelf along with your NIV, NASB, or NASB. I have been using this translation for several years now and find it to be very accurate. I have compared it to several other standard versions and to several interlineary bibles and have been very happy with it. As an example of the accuracy of the text, take, for example, the Greek word pisteo. The Greek word has several trasnlations: belief, faith, trust. In John 11:25, Yeshua mentions that "eveyone who (believes in, has faith in, trusts in) Me shall live even if he dies." If this is translated as believe, as it is in many translations, even the demons will live. But seeing that this word has several meanings, Dr. Stern uses other scriptures to decide that he will use the word faith. To put your faith in Yeshua is not the same as simply believing in Him. I find that reading the names of people and places in Hewbrew rather than in English reminds me that the culture was different and I have to keep that in mind in understanding how it applies to me. Having read scripture for years, I was beginning to find my eyes scanning pages I've read over and over again without taking in the information. This translation stopped that completely. I feel it is important for every Christian to understand the roots of his/her religion to fully understand the New Covnenant. The CJB has been a wonderful translation for me.
Rating:
Summary: Great Work... Ignore the Criticisms
Review: You are going to hear strong Criticisms from certain groups in regard to this translation... Ignore them. They revolve around the contemporary Paul debate which most Christians are ignorant of... While I am not inclined to follow Stern in many places in regard to his Pauline interpretation, he does give a new angle to think about. By the way the Greek kartegeo in Ephesians 2:11-16 is a very technical term meaning to nullify the impact not abolish. Messiah nullifies the impact of the separation caused by Purity laws. Stern takes does take liberties in places but honestly not any more than the NIV does from a Gentile Evangelical perspective. ALL TRANSLATION INVOLVES AT LEAST SOME ELEMENT OF INTERPRETATION. Certainly there are more "literal" translations but Stern's translation emphasizes often ignored or glossed background. Don't stop here though buy the commentary, start reading up on the New Perspective on Paul and start challenging your friends. After that Learn Greek and Hebrew.... May the Shalom of God rest upon you
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