"Majestic and Beautiful" -- My Review of the New MEV Bible Translation

While reading the new "Modern English Version" (MEV) Bible and writing this review of it, two words kept coming into my mind -- "Majestic" and "Beautiful."

I own several English Bible versions, and I always love delving into new translations and versions, to see if they give me a new, deeper insight into God's inspired Holy Scriptures. Sometimes though, I've gotten a little cynical about whether we actually need 20+ different English translations, and what the benefit actually is on a few of the ones out there.

I thought I was aware of (and owned) every English translation which had been made, however, about 5 weeks ago, I was shopping in my local Walmart, and as I walked past the book aisle, I noticed some Bibles on the shelf. First I saw the usual NIV and NKJV editions, but then my eye caught sight of a different one. My first thought was "What in the world is this 'MEV' Bible, and why do we need another new version?"

Well, a week went by, and then I could no longer resist, I had to go back to Walmart and purchase this "MEV" Bible and find out just what it had to offer, and if it was different or better than any of the other dozens of English Bibles I possessed.

Textual Base of the New Testament

The first thing I noticed was that this was a translation of the Textus Receptus ("Received Text"), the traditional Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, from which the 1611 King James Version and 1982 New King James Version were translated. Almost every other modern major Bible translation is rendered from the Critical Text, also known as the "Alexandrian Text" or the "Eclectic Text" (other names for it include: "Westcott & Hort Text" and "United Bible Societies' Text.") My personal view, based on my research into the topic, is that the Critical Text is more accurate than the Textus Receptus, however, I do prefer and enjoy having the additional verses and words from the Textus Receptus available in my Bible, instead of having them completely deleted out of the text. (For further reading on this topic, visit these Wikipedia pages: Textus Receptus and Alexandrian Text-type.)

Normally I prefer my main Bible to be based on the Critical Text, but the MEV is so good in the other areas (which I will describe below), that I actually want to make the MEV the main Bible I use now, even over the ESV, NASB, and NIV.

 

The Beauty of the Poetry and Traditional Words

I am simply mesmerized and astonished at both the beauty and majestic reverence I see and feel when I read the Psalms and the book of Job in the MEV Bible. It retains (and even improves!) the beautiful wording found in the old King James Version. This is probably because the translators used the King James Version as the English base text while they were making their new translation from the Hebrew and Greek. One of their goals was to make sure the beautiful English wording stayed in this new translation, even while making it much clearer for the modern English reader.

I was happy to see that the MEV kept the reference to God's "son" at Psalm 2:12 (and at Proverbs 30:4), which some new translations have removed.

I also liked how the MEV is one of the very rare modern Bibles to retain the name "Lucifer" in Isaiah 14:12.

I am impressed that this version does not try to hide the fact that God "changes His mind" at Jonah 3:10 like some Bibles do.

As far as I can tell, the MEV doesn't seem to have too much of a theological bias in its translation choices. In other words, it's not overly Calvinistic or Armenian, and it's not overly Trinitarian or non-Trinitarian.

The MEV has chosen to keep many of the traditional words from the King James Version, including "propitiation," "sanctification," "justification," "grace," and "saints," which I appreciate, although, a small "Bible-Words-Dictionary" in the back of the Bible would probably be very helpful to a lot of new Bible readers.

 

Harmonizing the Old Testament with the Septuagint Quotes in the New Testament

I enjoyed seeing the MEV's Psalms conform to the way the New Testament writers quoted those verses from the Septuagint. For example, Psalm 16:10 having the word "corruption" instead of "the pit" (Compare Acts 2:25-28) and the translation, "Your throne, O God" in Psalm 45:6 (Compare Hebrews 1:8). This is showing great reverence and respect for the Apostles and the other inspired writers of the New Testament.

Capitalizing the Pronouns that Refer to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit

 

In my opinion, it shows a lot of respect and reverent honor to capitalize the pronouns referring to God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Not only that, but it also makes many verses much clearer, being able to easily see if God is being spoken of/to or if someone else is.

This isn't a dealbreaker for me in choosing a Bible, but it certainly is an added benefit.

Clarity of the Text while Still Not Speaking Down To Us

 

I absolutely love the way verses are worded. It gives you the impression that the scholars and translators working on the MEV worked extra hard to provide clarity, yet, at the same time, to keep the elevated phrasing found in the King James Version, and not to over-simplify or "dumb-down" the Scriptures in such a way where it feels they are speaking down to you. 

Some Bible versions out there almost seem like they think they need to re-word everything into a kindergarten reading level. Thankfully the MEV does not do this. While reading Job, I was very happy to see a few challenging words that I had to google the definitions of.

Just wait until you read Romans in the MEV-- wow! I was blown away by the incredible way it was worded. It just pops out at you, and grips you, and you don't want to put it down.

 

The Helpful Headings

This is a very helpful feature found in most modern Bible translations. Bolded headings either summarizing what follows or telling you who the speaker is in the following passage. I am very glad to see these headings in the MEV, which were lacking in the KJV.

Two good examples of extremely helpful headings are in Song of Solomon and Job, letting the reader know who is speaking in each passage, which can, at times, be very hard to discern.

Additional Features

I was impressed by the cross-reference system found in the middle column on each page of the MEV. Very helpful in studying all the passages related to a certain topic.

I enjoy the words of Christ being in red, although I know some Christians do not. I like it because it puts the utmost emphasis where it belongs-- the teachings of Jesus. (See Hebrews 1:1-2; 2:1-4)

The mini-concordance in the back of the Bible is helpful, but not very many passages are included for each word. I would love to see a larger concordance for the MEV.

The colorful maps in the back were actually quite impressive.

Some words which have been supplied by the translators that were not in the Hebrew or Greek manuscripts, are in italics in the MEV. I commend and applaud translation team for choosing to notify readers when they've added words in to finish the thought in English, just as the original King James Version did.

 

In summary

If I could only choose one Bible translation to have, then I would choose the MEV ("Modern English Version"). It truly is that good. 

One final thing worth noting and applauding, is that Passio started this Bible translation project for our troops, so that they would have a new, clear, modern Bible to read as they defend our nation.

My Suggestions and Hopes for the MEV

I highly recommend that Passio (the organization behind the MEV), in future editions of the MEV, add a page or two at the beginning or end of the Bible, explaining more about the history of the Textus Receptus, and why you chose it over the Alexandrian Text.

I also suggest adding footnotes to each verse or phrase which is present in the Textus Receptus, but that is not found in the Alexandrian Text, just to keep the reader informed.

Consider adding footnotes to certain verses where there are big disagreements among scholars in the way it should be translated, such as Jude 1:4-5, John 1:18, and 1 Timothy 3:16.

I would love to see the MEV Translation available in a Chronological Bible, a Study Bible, and in the "Names of God" Bible, which uses the Divine Name, "Yahweh" or "Jehovah."

I would also be extremely happy to see a separate MEV edition with the Old Testament based on the Septuagint Greek instead of the Hebrew. There currently isn't very many good or easily accessible modern Septuagint translations available at the average bookstore.