"New Translation: Lively new English version translated by Mark A. Wauck. Among details for this text of all New Testament books: Translated directly from the Greek, with focus on readable, daily spoken language (but no slang). Noted by the author: Greek of the NT reflected the "Koine Greek" of the First Century A.D. Some other features making the text helpful for personal reading, prayer, or school study edition: Single column pages in large, clear type; full color illustrations / photos / maps bring a very contemporary look; passages quoted from the Old Testament are in bold face type; and brief, informative introductions are provided for each of the books. Glossary, but no listing of liturgical year cycles. 656 pages --Crux of the News, November 27, 2000

"These two titles (The Alba House Gospels, So You May Believe and The New Testament, St. Paul Catholic Edition) contain the translation and footnotes of the same translator, though the latter contains a revision of the former in both translation and the footnotes. In addition to the obvious fact that it is the complete NT. Both carry the Nihil Obstat and the Imprimatur of the Roman Catholic Church. The Translator's Preface, the Acknowledgments and the General Intro duction to the Gospels are all substantially abbreviated in the complete New Testament from those found in the earlier Alba House Gospels. For this reason, Bible Scholars and collectors may well want to acquire both editions. In addition the "Gospels" has a Preface by Daniel A. Murray that is omitted in the NT edition. The Preface explains that this rendering has been translated directly from the Greek text and is generally based on two principal texts: the 3rd edition of the United Bible Society's Greek NT and the 26th edition of Nestle-Aland's Greek text, though, in places, variant readings have been preferred. The earlier, and longer, Preface explains that just as contemporary American English is spoken in many different forms, so too the Greek of the Gospels exhibits considerable stylistic variation, both between the four Gospels as well as within a given Gos pel. The New Testament is attractively printed on a light green paper with the text and footnotes on white, with each page surrounded on three sides with a multi-colored border. Each Biblical book is divided into sub-sections with red sub-headings and contains a variety of illustra tions in full color. Each book also has its own Introduction, with the exception of Jude where it is combined with the Introduction to 2 Peter. There is also a combined General Introduction to the three letters of John. Wauck says, "Where style and accuracy allow, inclusive language has been used as, for example, in Jn 6:44, but the book of James' repeated use of "brothers" remains "brothers." In accordance with Roman Catholic doctrine, a footnote occurs wherever Jesus' siblings are mentions, as e.g. in Mt. 13:55, which declares that "church tradition has consis tently maintained that the 'brothers' (and sisters, v. 56) of Jesus referred to here were merely close relatives." --Bible Editions & Versions, (Journal of the International Society of Bible Collectors), July-September 2001

Earlier Reviews of the Four Gospels:

"Two editions available for new translation of New Testament from Greek. Focus: Contemporary American English as spoken; poetic format wherever Jesus likely used 'underlying poetic structure.'" --Crux of the News

"This new translation of the four Gospels into contemporary American English seeks to reflect the spoken Koine Greek of the 1st century and where possible the underlying poetic structures. It provides a general introduction to the Gospels, an introduction to each Gospel, and cross-references and comments below the text. It translates Mk 1:15 as follows: "The proper time has been fulfilled and the Kingdom of God has come; repent and believe in the good news!" It renders Lk 6:20 in this way: "Blessed are you poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God." D.A. Mur ray has supplied a two-page preface. the book is also available in pocket-book format (ISBN:0-8189-0626-X, paper $4.95). Wauck is completing the translation of the rest of the NT." New Testament Abstracts (Vol. 37, No 1, p. 123).

"The Alba House Gospels, translated by Mark A. Wauck, a graduate of Loyola University of Chicago and translator of Etienne Gilson's book on Thomist realism, come in large and pocketbook sizes. The layout and presentation is clear and the translation modern and reverential. It's a good value for the price." --Catholic Weekly (Australian), March 10, 1993

"Mark Wauck, a graduate of the Loyola University School of Law, presents here a new translation of the gospels. His aim is to capture the spirit and style of the original Greek, using contemporary American English which will be easily understood by ordinary readers. A special feature of his translation is the use of a poetic format when the words of Jesus appear to reflect an underlying poetic structure. He is presently completing the translation of the rest of the New Testament." --Theology Digest Book Survey, Spring 1993