What if the New Testament sounded like a gripping story instead of a sermon?
Tired of churchy jargon and outdated phrasing that hides the raw power of the original Greek? This fresh, semi-literal translation reimagines the Gospels, Acts, Letters, and Revelation for curious minds who want the real message-without the religious baggage.
Ray Geide brings decades of New Testament Greek study (MDiv in New Testament Studies) into a bold new version that:
- Stays true to the Greek text with precise choices like "physical body" for sarx, "chewing" for trōgōn, and "underling" for hupēretas-more faithful than loose paraphrases like The Message.
- Ditches traditional terms for vivid, modern equivalents: "proofs" instead of "miracles," "monarchy" instead of "kingdom," "magnificence" instead of "glory."
- Flows like a page-turner with conversational dialogue ("Don't be nasty to me"), dynamic action ("stepped down," "walked around"), and striking imagery ("rivers of living water will flow from his belly").
- Keeps scholarly depth approachable-no stiff literalism (unlike NASB) and no excessive wordiness.
Perfect for young adults (18-35), skeptics, small groups, educators, and anyone seeking Jesus as a compelling historical figure rather than doctrine. Experience the narrative pulse and nuances that have been muffled for centuries.
Discover the Gospel like never before-clear, alive, and unfiltered.
Grab this paperback today and see why readers call it a game-changer for understanding the original text in today's language.
Geide, Ray: - Ray Geide is a dedicated Bible translator, author, former missionary, pastor, and lifelong student of Scripture, best known for his innovative New Testament translations that prioritize linguistic accuracy, clarity, and modern readability.Early in life, Ray pursued formal theological education, earning a ThG (Theology Graduate or similar pastoral studies diploma), a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theology, and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) with highest honors, specializing in New Testament Studies with a strong emphasis on New Testament Greek. This rigorous academic foundation equipped him with deep expertise in the original biblical languages.His ministry journey included serving as a missionary (including time in Russia, where he trusted God to step out in faith), pastoring churches, and teaching the Bible. After returning to the United States, he transitioned into translation and nonprofit work, spending 16 years as a translator for a nonprofit organization and two years in a business role-experiences that honed his skills in precise, cross-cultural communication.Over more than three decades (with some accounts noting nearly 50 years of Bible study and engagement), Ray immersed himself in the Greek text of the New Testament. He prayed for wisdom daily, made numerous discoveries about word meanings and nuances, and developed fresh translations that aim to capture the original intent more vividly and literally than many traditional versions. His flagship work, the Breakthrough Version (BV) of the New Testament (first edition completed after seven years of intensive work, with subsequent editions refining it for even greater literal fidelity), was designed as a "high definition" Bible-replacing what he saw as "low resolution" renderings with words that better reflect Greek subtleties without archaic stiffness.Building on this foundation, Ray has continued refining his approach in projects like Today's Bible, a fresh, narrative-driven, semi-literal New Testament translation. This version blends near-literal fidelity to the Greek (e.g., "physical body" for sarx, "chewing" for trōgōn) with contemporary, jargon-free phrasing, vivid storytelling, and conversational tone-making the text accessible and engaging for curious modern readers, especially young adults and those skeptical of traditional religious language.Today, Ray shares insights through his online presence (@rayonthebible on X), the Today's Bible app (at todaysbible.online), and published works available on Amazon and elsewhere. His mission remains clear: to help people encounter the raw, real message of the New Testament in language that feels alive, unfiltered, and relevant-bridging scholarly depth with everyday clarity.
