The Passion Translation New Testament (Ivory): With Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs Hardcover – October 31, 2017

I don't normally go out of my way to write critical or bland reviews for books on Amazon, since I'm also an author and understand the hard work that goes into producing content and marketing it. And my gripe with this isn't the author's fault, so the content itself is FIVE stars, hands down!However, the publisher really dropped the ball on the Kindle formatting with this release, and by the looks of the reviews, the print version as well.First, the good:I LOVE the Passion Translation, and to date have bought almost every single Kindle book Brian Simmons has produced, often times at the same price as "full length" books, just because I think his work is valuable and a great service to the Body of Christ. When I first saw the entire New Testament and Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Solomon in one book instead of having to have a bunch of different files on my Kindle in order to access passages in the TPT, I was excited and pre-ordered it.The bad:Once I finally got my hands on it, I started reading Song of Solomon and didn't notice the glaring navigation problems until I thought I'd check some segments out of John 14, 15, and 16 for a small study I was doing on passages from those chapters. I couldn't believe a digital Bible would neglect to include a way to easily navigate to the individual chapters of each NT book from the TOC menu. So, if you want to read a specific chapter out of the Psalms for example, you have to go to the beginning of it and swipe forward until you get to the chapter you want. Or I suppose go to Proverbs and swipe back. Either way, a time waster if you just wanted to open it up and read later in a book or reference something from it.Either way, I'm surprised this made its way onto Amazon with this major oversight. When this is fixed I'll adjust my review and publicly give it the five stars it otherwise deserves.June 27th, 2019 Update:As some commenters on my review have pointed out, the TOC has been updated. Perhaps they've not used the same Kindle Bibles as I have, as this is still a BIT more convoluted to navigate than it need be compared to how other publishers set up their Kindle Bibles.When you go to the link you're taken to the beginning of the letter/Gospel, but there's not an obvious way to navigate to the specific chapter of that book if you wanted to follow along with a preaching during a service or something like that on your Kindle device or app. It took e a long time to realize that the end of the previous book has the chapter links for the next one. So for example, if you wanted to go to a specific chapter in John, and you go to the "go to" tab on your Kindle reader like I did, you're taken to the introduction for John. If you swipe BACKWARD, you're shown the chapter links. If you're using an app, like the one for your Mac or PC, it show in the TOC that you're actually in Luke.It took me forever to realize the chapter links were included because this is NOT an intuitive way to set up your chapters, IMO but I'll take it over the way the TOC was sorely lacking before!

I already LOVED the Passion Translation and had been buying the individual books on kindle as they were released - now I love the actual print copy too. I was so excited when the whole New Testament + was complete and pre-ordered it months in advance. However, when it finally came I was a bit disappointed by the quality. The pages were so thin that it was very difficult to read in anything but perfect lighting--and a bit challenging even then. I was still grateful to have all of it in one book, so I made do and continued to devour it. BUT when I learned a 2nd edition was being released that fixed these issues, I jumped on it again. Given the transformational impact of this beautiful translation and the reasonable cost for the hardbound version, I was happy to pay for another copy. Now I will enjoy it even more! Kudos to the publishers for recognizing the problems and making the changes quickly.

This review is not a reflection on the translation. Though I would that our loving brother and minister gave priority to the Majority Text over the Critical Text, this version is still a blessing & I can still find value in it.I have the complete paper back collection & it’s Kindle companions.I also have some of Brian Simmons other books which are a blessing as well.Concerning this new Bible bound in Black Imitation Leather:The binding is Smyth Sewn and ok for the price.The Imitation Leather is actually pretty nice and soft.This Bible lays relatively flat at about 70 pgs in.It is a paste down liner & appears more on the cheap side (expected for this price.)I really love it’s size; it is a Hand Size Bible for sure. Thinner than a Clarion but slightly taller by about an inch with the width being about a half-inch wider.The paper appears to be less than a 28gsm; not sure exactly but it is very thin.***It is not line matched.***The paper quality is really subpar and thus the ghosting is so pronounced it makes this production of the tPt Translation unreadable.(Some pages are not bad, while other pages are really bad.)I would of preferred a slightly thicker Bible with better paper.But you can get a nice 28gsm with Line Matching for this same thickness IMO.It’s more the quality of the paper process that the paper goes through v. the gsm.The Line Matching can make all the difference with 32gsm or lower and still is such a blessing for the 36gsm Bibles.So I like the translation as a back up translation to use on top of a Solid Literal Translation, but again the paper quality for this current production is really bad and makes it unreadable.I do not understand how this can make it past the quality control check.I have $25-30 Bibles (slightly less) that have much better paper than this.I would love to see another attempt made with Line Matching and Better Paper.I would purchase one for sure.My apologies with the shadows in the pictures; thank you all for reading. :)

While I have been waiting for about 7 months for this (and ordered 2 additional copies for my friends) I have to admit I am really sad and disappointed with the quality. The font is very small, but what is worse if that the pages are so thin, not only can you read the back of the page through the one you are looking at, but you can clearly read the next page through the page you are on. This is highly distracting and makes it almost impossible to focus.I have waited so long for this to come out, and was so excited to open my box, but the font and see-through page issue is very very disappointing. I have to put a blank paper under the page I am on in order to read it. This is a little help, but only a little.Thant being said, I am confident that it is going to be amazing, and I hope that a correction to these conditions comes out soon. I would much rather the book be larger and thicker to make up for the font and page visibility issue.

To comment on the quality of the translation is one thing, but it reads well. This translation is in places a paraphrase, but that dies not detract from the quality of the work of dedication. One example may suffice: 2 Thessalonians 2. Verse 15... there are 2 verbs in the Greek, both are in the command form (the Imperative), the Passion reads : stand firm with a masterful grip on the teachings (or, traditions). This does capture the meaning quite well, where the Greek verb krataioò, means confirm, grow strong, be firm (Mounce). The natural reading is: stand firm, and hold to the traditions... (NASB). So, if a paraphrase is what you require then this translation is for you. It offers a lot, and it has excellent notes, which elucidate further the meaning in Greek, or an original Aramaic, or Hebrew. To illustrate this see the notes in Matthew Ch 1.vs 21, where he links the true meaning of the Name, Yesous (Greek) with the original where the Name would link naturally with: for he shall SAVE his people from their sins.

Beautiful paraphrase of the Bible with a huge emphasis on God's unending and all-powerful love, but I have to agree with several other reviewers — the pages are so thin that not only the print on the other side, but the print on the page underneath it, shows through and makes it incredibly hard to read. I don't normally have any trouble reading printed material and I'm struggling! Very poor. Also sorry to hear the e-book edition has drawbacks as well. Hope the publishers will become aware of this and produce better editions (print and digital) in future, because it really is worth reading.

I love the passion translation and have several individual books. I couldn’t wait for this edition to come out but I have to say I am a little disappointed with the quality of the paper. It’s not easy to read as the paper is so thin the words from the previous page come through.

My usual Bibles are the Amplified and NKJ versions and this translation is very different in places. As I have read this translation I have questioned some of what is written when I have compared it with my usual versions but I must admit when I have meditated upon what I have read in TPT in the majority of times I have come to realise that what is being said has the same fundamental truth.I haven't had any problems with the print or the thickness of the paper.What I would find helpful is, where God is mentioned be it Father, Son or Holy Spirit, that the "He" or "Him" written in those verses could have a capital "H". This is the case in one of my other Bibles and it makes certain verses so much clearer.

I bought this for my husband. This is the 3rd gift of this translation I have bought as I love it personally, and everyone who received it as a gift said the same. I generally use the KJV and sometimes the Amp for my studies, but I have found this version to be a true blessing especially in my devotional time. The Song of Songs is amazing in this version. The quality of paper is superior to the 1st edition [which I have] and the format is traditional column.

I know some people have grumbled about the thin pages but I think it's all gorgeous and have no problem reading it with ease although I wear glasses.Love the translation. Has such a freshness and sparkle about it.Also love the soft faux leather in purple!

Kindle version seems to have been updated, A list of chapters is now under the heading of each book in the contents section which is a great improvement! No longer have to scroll through the whole book to find a specific chapter. I love the translation with all enlightening notes.

I love the Passion Translation and was thrilled to receive the whole NT, Psalms and Song of Solomon in one book but I am disappointed there is no search functionality for chapters and verses. I can only go to a book and then scroll through.

This translation of the bible and I own many versions, was recommended to me by a friend who was reading and studying Songs of Solomon she added that it was really stunning and through the passion transition really opened her eyes to the beauty of God. I then downloaded my copy and agree with her I am reading the bible and seeing into the scriptures like I’ve never seen before.

I wasn't sure about this at first but it has grown on me. Not being a scholar I don't know how accurate it is - I have to trust other people for that - but I find its choice of appropriate words and phrases refreshingly different, especially in the Psalms (though I do still prefer the 'classic' translations for some). There are a few inconsistencies like calling James 'Jacob' to use the Hebrew but still calling Jesus 'Jesus', but on the whole I would say that this is well worth having and reading.

At our church small group we read Proverbs 16 in three different translations. The Passion Translation is good and compares well alongside the others, (NIV and Message.) We liked the passage.What is not so good is the ease of finding the chapters and verses. I 'searched the book' for Proverbs and then scrolled through until I reached Chapter 16. That was hard work! Maybe someone has found an easier way to search Bible Passages.

Well this is a very different version of the bible. Readable and full of insight. I do however find myself referring to the NKJV or the NIV to remind myself what the 'real' text says. It takes liberties, but does give knowledge and understanding. Just don't make it your only version to read.

I bought this for a friend [who loves it] as I love this translation. It really brings the Word to life without losing any of the meaning. The notes with it are excellent making reference to original texts with alternative translations from original language. This is superior quality paper to the first edition and in traditional column format.

I was so happy to see that the Passion Version is now in one book format. It is lovely. Fine pages, good print and a lot of extra information for each book, it's almost a study bible format. The cover feels like leather and is very well made and the price is also good. I'm impressed with it.

Cannot speak highly enough of this translation and very thankful for how my life is blessed in reading. God's word afresh to me.Footnotes , entirely voluntary but far from dry or onerous, excited me to learn more deeply of the accuracy of what we have been handed down and the passion of God's heart in communicating through His words to us