Many First Nations tribes communicate with the cultural and linguistic thought patterns found in their original tongues. The First Nations Version (FNV) recounts the Creator's Story—the Christian Scriptures—following the tradition of Native storytellers' oral cultures. This way of speaking, with its simple yet profound beauty and rich cultural idioms, still resonates in the hearts of First Nations people. The FNV is a dynamic equivalence (paraphrasal) translation of the New Testament that captures the simplicity, clarity, and beauty of Native storytellers in English, while remaining faithful to the original language of the Bible. Whether you are Native or not, you will experience the Scriptures in a fresh and new way.
Read at U.S. Catholic: This New Testament translation honors the traditions of Native peoples
- Introduction to the First Nations Version
- Prologue
- Gift from Creator Tells the Good Story (Matthew)
- War Club Tells the Good Story (Mark)
- Shining Light Tells the Good Story (Luke)
- He Shows Goodwill Tells the Good Story (John)
- The Good Story Continues (Acts)
- Small Man to the Sacred Family in Village of Iron (Romans)
- First Letter of Small Man to the Sacred Family in Village of Pleasure (1 Corinthians)
- Second Letter of Small Man to the Sacred Family in Village of Pleasure (2 Corinthians)
- Small Man to the Sacred Families in Land of Pale Skins (Galatians)
- Small Man to the Sacred Family in Village of Desire (Ephesians)
- Small Man to the Sacred Family in Village of Horses (Philippians)
- Small Man to the Sacred Family in Village of Giants (Colossians)
- First Letter of Small Man to the Sacred Family in Village of False Victory (1 Thessalonians)
- Second Letter of Small Man to the Sacred Family in Village of False Victory (2 Thessalonians)
- First Letter from Small Man to He Gives Honor (1 Timothy)
- Second Letter from Small Man to He Gives Honor (2 Timothy)
- Small Man to Big Man (Titus)
- Small Man to He Shows Kindness (Philemon)
- To the People of the Tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Hebrews)
- He Leads the Way to the Scattered Tribes (James)
- First Letter from Stands on the Rock (1 Peter)
- Second Letter from Stands on the Rock (2 Peter)
- First Letter from He Shows Goodwill (1 John)
- Second Letter from He Shows Goodwill (2 John)
- Third Letter from He Shows Goodwill (3 John)
- Strong of Heart (Jude)
- Book of the Great Revealing (Revelation)
- Glossary of Biblical Terms
★ Publishers Weekly starred review.
The Great Spirit loves this world of human beings so deeply he gave us his Son—the only Son who fully represents him. All who trust in him and his way will not come to a bad end, but will have the life of the world to come that never fades—full of beauty and harmony. Creator did not send his Son to decide against the people of this world, but to set them free from the worthless ways of the world. —John 3:16-17
Love is patient and kind. Love is never jealous. It does not brag or boast. It is not puffed up or big-headed. Love does not act in shameful ways, nor does it care only about itself. It is not hot-headed, nor does it keep track of wrongs done to it. Love is not happy with lies and injustice, but truth makes its heart glad. Love keeps walking even when carrying a heavy load. Love keeps trusting, never loses hope, and stands firm in hard times. The road of love has no end. —1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Product Preview
| Format: | Paperback book |
|---|---|
| Product code: | IC813506 |
| Dimensions: | 8.8" x 6" |
| Length: | 512 pages |
| Publisher: |
IVP
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| ISBN: | 9780830813506 |
| 1-4 copies | $18.00 each |
|---|---|
| 5-9 copies | $17.00 each |
| 10-49 copies | $16.50 each |
| 50-99 copies | $16.00 each |
| 100+ copies | $15.00 each |
Praise
Reading the First Nations Version of the New Testament is like listening to a wise elder pass down ancient teachings. Its oral cadences give the Scriptures new room to breathe. While contemporary translations focus on updating language in a modern mode, the FNV recaptures the sense of tradition that binds faithful readers to our past and to the story that tells us who we are. It is a good gift to everyone who walks the Jesus Way.
I've often wondered what it might look like if Jesus incarnated within another culture. Jesus, a first-century Jewish teacher in a corner of Rome's empire, lived, died, and rose as a human being within a specific time and place. What I love about the First Nations Version is how it translates this gospel story into a language of another context: First Nations! So get swept away into the story of the Great Spirit as he invites us to the blessing way of the good road. Read this beautiful retelling of the Scriptures that is not only beneficial for First Nations communities but for all who desire to allow the Great Spirit to transform their imaginations!
The First Nations Version (FNV) has quickly become a go-to resource for Native InterVarsity across the nation. We are using it in our small group Bible studies, and it is influencing the words we choose when we invite students to the full life that Creator Sets Free (Jesus) offers. The word choices of the FNV not only resonate with Native students but are also offering a fresh hearing of Scripture for non-Natives. For example, when we talk about sin, defenses and blinders go up immediately. But when the FNV talks about 'bad hearts' and 'broken ways, ' people can see that in themselves and others. I would recommend the FNV to any Native person who wants to learn more about Jesus and any non-Native person who longs to be able to read Scripture with new eyes.
The FNV is written for a particular time, place, and people--the indigenous people of North America. The First Nations Version is a Bible for us. With estimates that a mere 5 percent of indigenous people of North America have a relationship with Creator Sets Free (Jesus), it's time for us to have a Bible translation of our own that speaks to our culture, our values, and our hearts through Creator's Word.
From the beginning, the story of Jesus has been a translated story. Jesus spoke in Aramaic, but Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John wrote their Gospels in Greek. The story of Jesus is intended to be translated to every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. That translation is intended, not just permitted, serves to show how we must resist any cultural domination of the gospel. Terry Wildman has done a masterful job of rendering the New Testament into the storytelling motif characteristic of Native Americans. It should tell us something important when we realize how beautifully the story of Jesus can be adapted to the style and vocabulary of indigenous people. I deeply appreciate Terry Wildman's retelling of the story of Jesus for First Nations people. I believe the Great Spirit is pleased.
