THE ORIGINAL BIBLE
for Modern Readers

"Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words . . . and keep the things that are written in it . . ."
 Revelation 1:3 "Every Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." —2 Timothy 3:16-17

"For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart." —Hebrews 4:12
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THE ORIGINAL BIBLE for Modern Readers
a copyright-free Bible in the public domain
OLD TESTAMENT
Genesis  Exodus  Leviticus  Numbers  Deuteronomy  Joshua  Judges  Ruth  1 Samuel  2 Samuel  1 Kings  2 Kings  1 Chronicles  2 Chronicles  Ezra  Nehemiah  Esther  Job  Psalms  Proverbs  Ecclesiastes  Song of Solomon  Isaiah  Jeremiah  Lamentations  Ezekiel  Daniel  Hosea  Joel  Amos  Obadiah  Jonah  Micah  Nahum  Habakkuk  Zephaniah  Haggai  Zechariah  Malachi 
NEW TESTAMENT
Matthew  Mark  Luke  John  Acts  Romans  1 Corinthians  2 Corinthians  Galatians  Ephesians  Philippians  Colossians  1 Thessalonians  2 Thessalonians  1 Timothy  2 Timothy  Titus  Philemon  Hebrews  James  1 Peter  2 Peter  1 John  2 John  3 John  Jude  Revelation 

About this Bible

Not copyrighted: The Original Bible for Modern Readers is dedicated to the public domain by its editor, David A. Reed.

This work is copyright-free and in the public domain. It may be copied freely, translated, or reproduced in whole or in part, without paying any royalties and without requesting permission.

THOUSANDS of ancient manuscripts, including the Dead Sea Scrolls and other ancient documents, confirm that we today possess the original Bible. And multiple independent translations allow modern readers to see that the Word of God has been faithfully translated into our own language.

The availability of many good translations today also makes it possible for readers to get a fresh perspective and a deeper understanding as they read the Bible over and over again, following the admonition to “meditate on it day and night.” (Joshua 1:8; compare Psalm 1:2)

The divine Author of the Bible used dozens of human penmen to produce the collection of histories, psalms, prophecies and teachings that are bound together today as one Bible—Old Testament and New Testament—for us to read, take to heart, and obey. He produced the Bible for our benefit:

“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words . . . and keep the things that are written in it . . .”—Revelation 1:3

“Every Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”—2 Timothy 3:16-17

“For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”—Hebrews 4:12

The Bible’s divine Author wants us to read it, to think about it, and to discuss it with our families:

“. . . you shall lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul. . . . You shall teach them your children, talking of them, when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.”—Deuteronomy 11:18-19

IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME reading the Bible, you may wish to begin with the New Testament, starting with the Gospel of Matthew. Then, after you have read about the life and teachings of Jesus in the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John—go on to read the history of the early Christians in the Acts of the Apostles, and the apostolic letters that complete the New Testament. You may even want to read the New Testament a couple of times before going back to read the Old Testament with its history of God’s early dealings with mankind and its prophecies that were fulfilled in the New Testament and that continue to be fulfilled as events unfold in the world today.

          GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF THIS BIBLE'S LINEAGE

                          American Standard Version (ASV)

                                          => World English Bible (WEB)

                                                          => The Original Bible for Modern Readers (TOB)

Although produced during the late 1800’s and finalized in 1901, the American Standard Version (ASV) still featured a considerable amount of Shakespearean English, reminiscent of the much older King James Version (KJV).  The World English Bible (WEB) was originally known as the American Standard Version 1997 and updated much of that language, although it is still a work in progress as of this writing.  The Original Bible for Modern Readers (TOB) is derived from the WEB.

With certain exceptions, The Original Bible for Modern Readers features the text of the copyright-free World English Bible (November 2012 HTML version).  The exceptions include (1) the occasional use of the World English Bible’s alternate readings from its footnotes where those seem more understandable, (2) corrections found in later updates of the World English Bible, (3) corrections of typos, etc., found during the proofreading of this volume, (4) the word used when rendering the divine name (See below.), (5) modernization of archaic expressions left over from the American Standard Version that the WEB revision team had not yet updated in their 2012 HTML edition, and (6) the use of quotation marks, paragraphing, etc. in sections where that work had not yet been completed in the WEB’s 2012 HTML edition.  These differences prevent using the trademarked title World English Bible for this volume, since only intact reproductions of the WEB can use that title.

THE ORIGINAL BIBLE for Modern Readers (TOB) follows the tradition of the American Standard Version, The Jerusalem Bible, The Living Bible and the World English Bible (WEB) in featuring God’s name wherever it occurs in ancient manuscripts—rather than the custom of substituting the title the LORD in small caps. So, where some other translations speak of the “fearful name, the LORD,” “the LORD . . . This is my name forever,” and “I will proclaim my name, the LORD” (Deuteronomy 28:58, Ex. 3:15, 33:19), this version actually uses God’s name, as the original manuscripts did.

Rather than the transliteration Yahweh, The Original Bible for Modern Readers uses the more familiar translation Jehovah, following the pattern of the American Standard Version and The Living Bible. This rendering is consistent with the English translation and pronunciation of the names of the Messiah and ancient Jewish kings: Jesus (“Jehovah saves”), Jehoshaphat (“Jehovah judges”) and Jehoram (“Jehovah is exalted”), for example.

SPECIAL THANKS go to the team that produced the World English Bible (on which this present volume is largely based) for graciously making the WEB available in the public domain without copyright. This volume builds on their work, as noted above.

However, any errors in this volume are my responsibility. Please report any you may find using the contact information online at tobBible.com.

YOU MAY FREELY COPY from The Original Bible for Modern Readers, because it is not copyrighted. It is in the public domain, so you are free to quote from it and to reproduce it in whole or in part, without any need to pay royalties or even to ask permission. — David A. Reed, editor
DAVID A REED served for a decade as a contributing editor of Dr. Walter Martin’s Christian Research Journal and has authored some twenty books on Bible topics. His most recent include Come, Follow Jesus!—the Real Jesus and Parallel Gospels in Harmony— with Study Guide.