Norlie’s Simplified New Testament

Have any of you read, Norlie’s Simplified New Testament in Plain English—For Today’s Reader? Translated by Olaf M. Norlie, Ph.D., S.T.D., Litt.D. Published by Zondervan Publishing House, 1961.

If you are KJV Only, PLEASE do NOT post in this thread!

 

I found the following information about Norlie's Simplified New Testament on the Internet:

It is a translation from the original Greek designed to make the language of the New Testament more interesting and intelligible. The translator was Olaf M. Norlie, a professor having three doctorates and on the staff of a college in Minnesota. Particular attention was given to make this translation readable, while at the same time making it meaningful.

It tries to make use of the simpler words, wherever there is a choice. It shortens the sentences, wherever possible. It omits the solemn style. It capitalizes all the names and pronouns referring to Diety. It retains the versification of the Authorized Bible, without allowing these verse numbers to be obtrusive. It groups the verses according to content, with subject headings supplied for each portion, for convenience in reading and study.

Included with this New Testament is The Psalms for Today, translated by Roland Kenneth Harrison, of the University of Toronto. The translation is an attempt to convey thought-forms and sentiments of the ancient Hebrew Psalmists in a more modern style than is generally found in English versions of The Psalms. This is a retranslation from the Massoretic text. Particular attention was paid to the archaeological discoveries at Ras Shamra (Ugarit), which have thrown considerable light on hitherto obscure expressions and allusions. There were efforts to replace the anthromorphisms, an integral part of earlier translations, with synonymous expressions. An attempt was made to preserve the poetic structure without following the Hebrew rhythmic and parallel forms too closely. The Tetragrammaton is generally rendered the Lord.
Zondervan (1961)

Sample Text:
John 1: 1 - 3
The Word was in the beginning; the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were made by Him and nothing that was made came into being without Him.

Comparisons which include this version:
Bishops, Overseers, Presbyters, and Elders
Commandments or Clean Robes?
Entering His Rest
God So Loved the World
Hebrew Poetry in the Bible
Jude's Advice About Saving People
Let No Man Judge You
The Lord Is My Shepherd: An Anthology
The Lord's Day in the Book of Revelation
Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread
A Reference to the Trinity
Sabbaths and Sundown
Scripture Inspired by God
Those Who Work Iniquity
Words with Heathen Origins in the Scriptures

 

Keith M wrote,

Yes, I do own a copy of it. I purchased it this past Wednesday for $.50 in a thrift store—a hardcover copy in excellent condition with the dust jacket still intact! I have not yet had an opportunity to carefully read through it, but the cursory reading of it that I have done shows me that it is very much better than most other easier to read translations. It was published within a year or two of several other translations and revisions, and it apparently fell through the cracks. Had Zondervan spent the millions of dollars advertising it that they did on the NIV, Norlie’s Simplified New Testament would probably be much better known today. And, of course, the very large majority of Christians prefer to use a whole Bible rather than a separate New Testament.

 

Here is a little information about Olaf M. Norlie:

1962 Olaf Morgan Norlie, Lutheran professor and historian, died (b. 11 January 1876). He was educated at Saint Olaf College (Northfield, Minnesota), the Milwaukee (Wisconsin) State Normal, the University of Wisconsin (Madison), the United Norwegian Lutheran Church Seminary (Saint Paul, Minnesota) and the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis). He was a professor at Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) from 1919 to 1928 and 1933 to 1941 and at Hartwick College (Oneonta, New York) from 1928 to 1932. He was dean of the graduate school at Hartwick Seminary (New York City) from 1932 to 1933. He codified _The Evangelical Lutheran Church History_, 1951-1954, and was also church statistician. He edited _The Translated Bible 1534-1934_. Other works include _The Academy for Princes_, _An Elementary Christian Psychology_, _The Bible in a Thousand Tongues_ and _Simplified New Testament_.

Source: Today in History (for the date June 22) http://chi.lcms.org/history/tih0622.htm

Olaf Norlie died June 22, 1962.

 

"The virgin shall be with child...."

His subject heading for vv. 18-24 is “The Virgin Birth.”