The New Testament in Modern English — J.B. Phillips
The Phillips New Testament (1958) by Anglican clergyman J.B. Phillips is one of the most beloved and readable English NT translations, praised by C.S. Lewis who called it 'like seeing a familiar picture after it has been cleaned.' Phillips believed a translator should produce in readers 'an effect equivalent to that produced by the author upon his original readers,' and his free, idiomatic rendering has introduced millions to Paul's letters.
History & Background
Anglican clergyman John B. Phillips (1906–1982) began translating Paul's letters during World War II to make them relevant to his youth group in wartime London. C.S. Lewis endorsed the epistles manuscript. The letters appeared in 1947 as 'Letters to Young Churches,' the Gospels in 1952, Acts in 1955, Revelation in 1957, and the complete NT in 1958. A substantially revised edition appeared in 1972. Covers only the New Testament.
Canon Proximity Rating
New Testament only. Dynamic-equivalence paraphrase; celebrated for literary quality and communicative power. C.S. Lewis endorsement.