Basic English THE INCREDIBLE STORY OF THE NEW LIFE BIBLE (a translation using only 850 English words as the basic vocabulary)   With beginnings in one of the most remote areas of the world, and a ministry among primitive aborigines from 1946 to 1961, Gleason and Kathryn Ledyard were gradually led by the Lord into another equally unique ministry. (Read about their Arctic Ministries and exciting adventures in their book Eskimos.)   In the early days it was visiting Eskimo camps by dog team, traveling over the snow-covered Arctic tundra at a snail's pace of four to five miles an hour, sleeping in igloos weeks and months at a time. Or there were those many years when the Ledyards flew their own ski or float equipped airplane on trips as long as two months through the Canadian Central Arctic, often traveling 5,000 miles on each trip. Gleason and Kathryn came away from one bad crash without a scratch or bruise, and Gleason survived a second one.   During those years, Kathryn conducted school, and the Eskimo children started to learn English along with other subjects. Gradually, English Bibles were introduced, but the Ledyards wished there was a translation that could be easily read and understood.   It wasn't until several years after the Ledyards came out of the Arctic and extensive surveys were made in relation to home missions, that the work of translating an easy-to-read text was started. After four years, working long hours each day, the translation of the NEW LIFE Testament was completed. Considerable research was done as the project progressed. A list of all the words used was recorded and the result was a basic vocabulary of 850 words. (See partial list.)   The whole Bible was completed in 1986, the cumulative work of 16 years. Each succeeding year, the outreach ministry of Christian Literature International has grown. NEW LIFE Study Testaments and Bibles — the concept of which got its start in an igloo in the Canadian Arctic a half-century ago — are being used and appreciated by millions of people world-wide.   One of the most outstanding features of the NEW LIFE Text is the copyrighted vocabulary. No difficult words are used in the text except proper names and places. Words like propitiation found in other translation are broken down into meaningful phrases (paid for our sins with His own blood). It has the quality of a built-in dictionary. The following examples show how the vocabulary is the key to its readability .   PARTIAL WORD LIST Difficult words used in other translations  are replaced by the easy-to-read and understand phrases used in the NEW LIFE Version:   authority-the right and the power blaspheme-speaks like he is God; speaks against God centurion-captain of the army circumcise-religious act of becoming a Jew compassion -loving-pity concupiscence-desire for sex sin Covenant (Testament)-New Way of Worship; Old Way of Worship covetousness-wanting something that belongs to someone create-make from nothing crucify-nail Him on a cross disciple-follower doctrine-teaching effeminate-men who act like women elect-the people of God envying-wanting something someone else has eternal life-life that lasts forever evangelist-a preacher that goes from town to town false witness-tell a lie about someone else fasting-not eating so you can pray better feast-religious gathering; religious supper; special supper fornication-sex sins Gentiles-people who do not know God; people who are not Jews glory-shining-greatness godliness-God-like; holy living grace-loving favor; God's love harlot-a woman who sells the use of her body heathen-people who do not know God high priest-head religious leader homosexual-people who do sex sins with their own sex hypocrite-you who pretend to be someone you are not idolatry-worshiping false gods lasciviousness-desire for wrong things   DIFFICULT WORDS USED IN OTHER TRANSLATIONS The easy-to-read and understand phrases used in the NEW LIFE Version are:   justified-made right with God kingdom of God-holy nation of God lust-desire for sex sins majesty-great power mercy-loving-kindness miracles-powerful works multitude-many people oppression-bad power held over them Passover-a special religious gathering to remember how the Jews left Egypt Pentecost-that special day to remember how the Holy Spirit came on the church Pharisee-proud religious law-keeper precious-of great worth; no amount of money can buy priests-religious leader (Christ as High Priest)-Religious Leader Who made the way for men to go to God prophet-early preacher; one who speaks for God propitiation-paid for our sins with His own blood redeem (redemption)-bought by the blood of Christ and made free regeneration-new life remission-forgiveness repent-be sorry for your sins and turn from them reprobate-person in sin on his own way to hell resurrection-raised from the dead righteousness-right with God Sabbath-Day of Rest sackcloth-clothes made from hair sacrifice (offering)-a gift given on the altar in worship Sadducees-religious group of people who believe no one will be raised from the dead Sanhedrin-religious leaders' court scribe-teacher of the Law spiritual-full grown Christians; strong Christians tongues-languages, special sounds virgin-woman who has never had a man widow-woman whose husband has died Use the logo below to access their site and learn more!   Ogden's Basic English