The CEB Pocket New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs Paperback – February 6, 2018

The print is very small.

I love this translation which is why I want a small copy I could carry on me always,but this paperback has much too flimsy a cover to realistically be crammed into a pocket, hopefully they can remedy this soon.

I find it much easier and understandable to read this version of the Bible. I grew up with the King James version and struggled.

First, this is a basic paper back edition. Use it and don't worry about it. If something happens to it, get another one. If you want give it to someone, get another one.Second, the translation is surprisingly good, minus one awful rendition ("Human One"). Be warned, most of the supporting literature I've seen surrounding the CEB is from a "liberal" perspective. One of the interesting things is the list of translators crosses just about every theological line imaginable. (Thus, the "common")So I can not recommend the translation to those who take the scholarship blindly or have no ability/skill to check out the original languages. Nor do I recommend this (or any other translation) to be taken as a stand alone... isolated from other translations.But I can tell you that this is an "in your face" with the truth (willing to remove traditional "glosses" found in other translations). That at times is uncomfortable. It's sent me scrambling for my Greek NT many times, only to have to sit down and have a long hard think (or "re-think").It also is written in natural English. This includes contractions, seldom used in other translations. The reading level is fairly easy, which means the mind does not have to translate to understand.Take for instance how natural and beautiful this sounds, "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life." [John 3:16]This might be a draw back for some, but the technical word "repent" is translated "change your hearts and lives." That translation reflects an historical understanding of the word... but some might argue that it takes away the readers choice on how to understand "repent." (Typically those who want to deny one of the two ideas.) Then again, that's what happens all the time with any/all translations.In the Psalms, where the NIV translates "love" the CEB often translates "faithful love." (KJV often says something like "mercy" while the ESV runs "steadfast love."Some might grumble that the "blood" has been removed, for instance 1 Peter 1:2. So "sprinkled with his blood" (NIV... most others are similar) becomes "the faithful obedience and sacrifice of Jesus Christ." In 1 Peter 1:19 it reads, "Instead, you were liberated by the precious blood of Christ, like that of a flawless, spotless lamb." The idea of "liberated" does not show up in other translations because it is borrowed from the previous verse... typically "redeemed," or "ransomed." Does "liberated" take away from the payment idea of "ransomed" or "redeemed?" Yes and no. "Liberated" sounds more like a violent rescue that a payment to/for (opening an interesting can of theological worms). Before we cry out against the idea of "liberated" it is one definition of the Greek word listed by both Strong and Thayer.This is were knowing and comparing with other translations (and knowing the Greek) has value.There are times when the CEB speaks volumes more than other translations. For instance, 1 Peter 1:15, "you must be holy in every aspect of your lives, just as the one who called you is holy." The NIV reads "in all you do." While the NIV is more "literal" the CEB is much more pointed since the call is to be holy like/because God is holy. So God's holiness extends well beyond conduct. One can be holy in conduct yet unholy spiritually (as in the Pharisees). The outward holiness is a white washed tomb filled with dead people's bones if not accompanied by a deeper inward holiness.Here is a chance for you to read it for yourself... but suspend judgement... just read it and listen.

This New Testament is much smaller than I expected! The print is so small I can hardly read it!

Print is so small it's hard to read, and I'm only in my 40s. I've had similar size Bibles that used much clearer font.

This New Testament is a modern CEB pocket version and is handy to take with one thread and have devotions with just reading and thinking or to take when one travels or works and uses this book when on break. A good book to read and print is not too small and can be read without a microscope.

> Way too small to see!!! About size 2-3 maybe 4 font at most!> No red letters for Jesus quotes.> No presentation page> Says on back that this is given "COURTESY" of The Office of Scouting Ministries, and the sticker for $3.99 is right below it.(Which peels off nicely.) The point being, it is NOT courtesy...and truthfulness IS one of the values of scouting.The good. Nice color, nice Boy Scout emblem. Good feel and flexibility of this book.BUT what good is any of it unless you can see the print?If you get it for a scout, give them a magnifying glass with it!