Amplified Bible

The Amplified Bible (AMP) is an English translation of the Bible produced jointly by The Zondervan Corporation and The Lockman Foundation. The first edition was published in 1965. It is largely a revision of the American Standard Version of 1901, with reference made to various texts in the original languages. It is designed to "amplify" the text by using a system of punctuation and other typographical features to bring out all shades of meaning present in the original texts.

The Amplified Bible was published in six stages:
*Gospel of John (1954)
*New Testament (1958)
*Old Testament Volume Two (Job-Malachi)(1962)
*Old Testament Volume One (Genesis-Esther)(1964)
*Complete Bible (1965)
*Updated Edition (1987)

The bulk of the work of producing the "Amplifed Bible" was done by Frances Siewert, employed by the Lockman Foundation (Paul 2003:209).

Explanation of arbitrary punctuation from the March 1985 printing

PARENTHESES () and DASHES — —: signify additional phases of meaning included in the original word, phrase or clause of the original language.

TITLES OF DEITY: are set off, however, only with commas.

BRACKETS: contain justified clarifying words or comments not actually expressed in the immediate original text.

ITALICS: point out certain familiar passages now recognized as not adequately supported by the original manuscripts. Also, "and," "or" and other connectives in italics indicate that the word itself is not in the original text, but it is used to connect additional English words indicated in the same original word.

CAPITALS: are used in names and personal pronouns referring to Deity, but sparingly elsewhere.

REFERENCES: are intended to cover any part of the preceding verse to which they apply.

SYNONYMS: are limited to what the text seems to warrant, both as to number and wording.

Comparison example

"Acts 16:31 is the example used in the Publisher's Foreword, and it illustrates some of the features of the Amplified Bible quite nicely:"

Acts 16:31, King James Version: And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Acts 16:31, American Standard Version: And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house.

Acts 16:31, Amplified Bible: And they answered, Believe in and on the Lord Jesus Christ—that is, ^lgive yourself up to Him, ^mtake yourself out of your own keeping and entrust yourself into His keeping, and you will be saved; [and this applies both to] you and your household as well.

l) Thayer. m) Wuest's "Golden Nuggets from the Greek New Testament."

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer, founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries, uses the Amplified Version of the Bible for her preaching, Bible studies, etc. She has also published the first Amplified Study Bible called "The Every Day Life Bible" featuring notes and commentary by Joyce Meyer.

Sources

Zondervan Publishing House. "The Amplified Bible" (1965). Thirtieth printing, March, 1985. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 65-19500. Current edition is ISBN 0-310-95168-2

Audio Sources

Currently, the only audio version of the Amplified Bible is produced by [http://www.promisesforlife.com Promises For Life] . Zondervan Publishing House is currently contracted with the Lockman Foundation to control and manage the publishing rights of the Amplified Bible. Current edition is ISBN 1-558-97932-8

References

*Paul, William. 2003. “Siewert, Frances E.” "English Language Bible Translators", p. 208,209. Jefferson, NC and London: McFarland and Company

External links

* [http://lockman.gospelcom.net/amplified/ AMP Website]
* [http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/index.php?action=getVersionInfo&vid=45&lang=2/ AMP text online]
* [http://www.amplifyinglife.org/ Amplifying Life: How the Amplified Bible Works]