Preface (1969)
The Berkeley Version of the Bible has gained for the late Dr. Gerrit Verkuyl a place among the first rank of translators of the Bible into modern English. Its growing readership since the initial publication of the New Testament in l945 bears witness to his success in combining freshness of expression with fidelity to the original Greek. The Berkeley Version of the Old Testament (1959), which was made by a staff of translators and consultants working under Dr. Verkuyl as editor-in-chief, exhibits the same characteristics of faithful rendering of the original texts into lively modern English that mark his New Testament. While some modern translations of the Scriptures tend to be paraphrases, this version of the Bible aims to achieve plain, up-to-date expression which reflects as directly as possible the meaning of the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. As Professor F. F. Bruce says, “The Berkeley Version of the whole Bible (1959) is the most outstanding among recent translations of both Testaments sponsored by private groups” (The Books and the Parchments, Westwood, N.J.: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1963, pp. 236, 237).
Approximately twenty-five years have passed since The Berkeley New Testament first appeared in 1945. During this quarter century, the need for its revision has become evident. As is inevitable with any Bible translation — and perhaps most of all with a one-man version — idiosyncrasies and other matters requiring correction have come to light.
In response, therefore, to suggestions and criticisms, the publishers appointed three experienced Bible scholars to revise The Berkeley New Testament, namely, E. Schuyler English, Litt.D., chairman; Frank E. Gaebelein, A.M., Litt.D.; and G. Henry Waterman, A.M., Ph.D. The present edition is the result of their work. While not a retranslation, the revision is a very extensive one. In making it, there was constant reference to the Greek. Recent findings of textual criticism were considered. Explanatory notes were not only revised but a great many new notes were added. Topical headings were in many cases rephrased.
This is still The Berkeley Version. It rests upon the foundation Dr. Verkuyl laid. Nevertheless, the numerous changes in the New Testament text, explanatory notes, and headings warrant calling this 1969 edition The Modern Language Bible — The New Berkeley Version in Modern English.
THE PUBLISHERS