I was completely unfamiliar with this Bible translation upon receiving it. I am personally someone who loves to read and compare different translations. While I have favorites that I use more frequently, I think it is truly beneficial to explore new translations. I know that some disagree, and feel certain translations are not equal, and this is not the Bible for those people. However, if you welcome a fresh interpretation, you will most likely enjoy this work. I found the chapter intros as well as the informational boxes throughout particularly helpful. In many Bibles I have used, the study notes and or commentary is either overly simple and therefore unhelpful, or extremely factual but lacking any emotional connection to the text itself. The background information in this particular Bible is used at just the right places to be helpful. For example, when a particular Biblical figure is mentioned in the verses, an informational box is available as a heads up to place who the person is and a little background. It is just enough to nudge the memory, (oh that’s right, Tamar impersonated a prostitute and conceived twins by Judah…) without being too wordy. I think the characteristic that really sets this Bible apart is it’s ability to help the reader connect with the emotional state of the characters. I have experience with many Bible translations, and I have not come across one that takes such pains to really highlight the beauty of the Word. For that reason alone, this Bible is a valuable resource and worth a look.
