Barclay Newman, a translator on the teams for both the Good News Bible and the Contemporary English Version, translated passages of the New Testament into English and published them in 2014, “in a publication brief enough to be non-threatening, yet long enough to be taken seriously, and interesting enough to appeal to believers and un-believers alike.” The following is the translation of Mark 1:1-8:
This is the Best News Ever,
and it’s about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
It began, just as God had announced
in the book by the prophet Isaiah:
I’m sending my messenger
to prepare the way for you.
Listen to the voice shouting in the desert,
“Make a straight path for the Coming One’.”
So John Dipper showed up in the desert,
shouting for everyone to hear: “It’s turn around time!
Do this and be baptized, if you hope to be forgiven!”
From Jerusalem and all over Judea,
multitudes swarmed around John like flies —
they openly confessed their sins,
and he baptized them in the River Jordan.
John Dipper wore garments of camel hair
with a leather strap around his waist —
his food was locusts and honey from the fields.
His message: “Someone more powerful will come,
and I’m not worthy to be his lowest slave.
My baptism is merely with water —
his baptism is with the Holy Spirit!”
Barclay Newman, a translator on the teams for both the Good News Bible and the Contemporary English Version, translated passages of the New Testament into English and published them in 2014, “in a publication brief enough to be non-threatening, yet long enough to be taken seriously, and interesting enough to appeal to believers and un-believers alike.” The following is the translation of Mark 1:9-11:
Jesus left his home in Nazareth, Galilee
and went to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
When Jesus came out of the water, he saw the sky separate,
and the Spirit of God descend upon him like a dove.
A voice from heaven declared,
“I am pleased with you, my own dear Son!”
Barclay Newman, a translator on the teams for both the Good News Bible and the Contemporary English Version, translated passages of the New Testament into English and published them in 2014, “in a publication brief enough to be non-threatening, yet long enough to be taken seriously, and interesting enough to appeal to believers and un-believers alike.” The following is the translation of Mark 1:12-13:
At the impulse of God’s Spirit,
Jesus headed into the desert.
For forty days and forty nights, Satan put him to the test,
while Jesus lived among the wild animals
and was watched over by angels.
Barclay Newman, a translator on the teams for both the Good News Bible and the Contemporary English Version, translated passages of the New Testament into English and published them in 2014, “in a publication brief enough to be non-threatening, yet long enough to be taken seriously, and interesting enough to appeal to believers and un-believers alike.” The following is the translation of Mark 1:14-15:
After John Dipper was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee,
proclaiming the Super Story about God:
“The Ultimate Kingdom soon will appear with power.
Turn to God and believe the Best News Ever!”
Barclay Newman, a translator on the teams for both the Good News Bible and the Contemporary English Version, translated passages of the New Testament into English and published them in 2014, “in a publication brief enough to be non-threatening, yet long enough to be taken seriously, and interesting enough to appeal to believers and un-believers alike.” The following is the translation of Mark 1:16-20:
As Jesus was strolling beside Lake Galilee,
he noticed two fishermen — brothers they were —
and they were casting their nets into the lake.
“Follow me!” commanded Jesus.
“I’ll give you power to bring in people.”
At this, they dropped their nets and followed him.
As Jesus continued walking along the shore,
he saw James and John Zebedee
sitting in a boat, mending their nets.
“Follow me!” commanded Jesus.
Leaving their father and the hired workers,
they followed him.
Barclay Newman, a translator on the teams for both the Good News Bible and the Contemporary English Version, translated passages of the New Testament into English and published them in 2014, “in a publication brief enough to be non-threatening, yet long enough to be taken seriously, and interesting enough to appeal to believers and un-believers alike.” The following is the translation of Mark 1:21-28:
Jesus and his followers went to the town of Capernaum,
and when the Sabbath rolled around,
Jesus entered the synagogue and started teaching.
Everyone was amazed at his powerful teaching —
they’d never heard anything like this.
Suddenly a demon-possessed man rushed in, shouting,
“Jesus of Nazareth, have you come here to destroy us?
I know you — you’re God’s Chosen One!”
“You demon, come out of this man!
Be silent!” shouted Jesus.
After sending the man into a convulsion,
the demon yelled and left.
Barclay Newman, a translator on the teams for both the Good News Bible and the Contemporary English Version, translated passages of the New Testament into English and published them in 2014, “in a publication brief enough to be non-threatening, yet long enough to be taken seriously, and interesting enough to appeal to believers and un-believers alike.” The following is the translation of Mark 1:29-39:
At the conclusion of the synagogue service,
Jesus left with James and John
for the home of the brothers Peter and Andrew.
When Jesus arrived, he learned
Peter’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a fever.
As soon as Jesus helped her up by her hand, the fever left,
and she prepared a meal for her guests.
That evening after sunset,
everyone sick or demon-possessed was brought to Jesus,
until the front door was swamped with people.
Jesus healed all kinds of horrible diseases
and forced out many demons —
they recognized him, but he refused to let them speak.
Very early the next morning, Jesus slipped away
to a place where he could be alone.
But Peter and the others kept looking
until at last they found him and said,
“Everyone’s looking for you!”
“Let’s go to the nearby towns,” replied Jesus.
“That’s why I’ve come.”
So they traveled to every synagogue in Galilee,
with Jesus teaching and forcing out demons.
Barclay Newman, a translator on the teams for both the Good News Bible and the Contemporary English Version, translated passages of the New Testament into English and published them in 2014, “in a publication brief enough to be non-threatening, yet long enough to be taken seriously, and interesting enough to appeal to believers and un-believers alike.” The following is the translation of Mark 1:40-45:
A man with leprosy came and knelt down to Jesus,
begging, “Your power can make me well,
if only you are willing.”
Jesus felt sorrow for the man.
So he placed his hand on him and said,
“I’m willing—now you are well.”
At once the leprosy disappeared!
Jesus sent the man away with a warning,
“Don’t tell anyone except those you must
to be pronounced free of leprosy.
Then do what the Bible teaches
by offering a gift at the temple,
so everyone else will know you’re well.”
But the man instead told everyone he met —
so many that Jesus had to stay away from the towns.
But crowds still flocked to him in the desert.
