Gerrit Verkuyl (1872–1967)

First sentence: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empy, and darkness lay upon the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2)

The Revised Berkeley is a translation that probably failed to take off or thrive. It was published by Zondervan. The Old Testament is copyrighted 1945. (Rights assigned to Zondervan in 1958). The Old Testament is copyrighted 1959. The whole Bible was published and copyrighted in 1969. My guess is that once Zondervan started working on the New International Version, this one became neglected. It was also published under the name Modern Language Bible. But I don't think either branding made an impact. The Living Bible, the Good News Bible, the New English Bible, the New American Standard Bibles--these were all released in a relatively short amount of time. Almost all would be overshadowed by translations to follow--namely the New International Version and the New King James Version.

This one is a Gideons' Bible. It is double column, black letter. It is a convenient size and weight, as you'd expect. I wish it was larger font. But I'm happy to have read it. I started in June and finished today, September 22.

I thought I would share snippets of verses and passages to give you a feel for the text.

The beginning of wisdom is: Get wisdom! and in every gain get understanding. Proverbs 4:7

Roll your work onto the LORD and your plans will be achieved. Proverbs 16:3

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; into it runs the righteous and cannot be touched. Proverbs 18:10

Come, let us sing to the LORD; let us cheer in honour of the Rock of our salvation. Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us joyfully sing to Him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, a mighty King above all gods. Psalm 95:1-3

Teach me Thy way, O LORD; I will walk in Thy truth; unite my heart to revere Thy name. Psalms 86:11

But as for me, drawing near to God is good for me; I have made the LORD my refuge, so that I may announce all Thy works. Psalm 73:28

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin, for I am conscious of my transgressions, and my sin ever in mind. Psalm 51:2-3

Have your delight in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not lack; He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside restful water; He revives my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no harm; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my adversaries; Thou has anointed my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely, goodness and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Psalm 23:1-6

Store up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul. Bind them as a token on your hands, and let them be as a forehead band between your eyes. Teach them to your children, talking about them when sitting at home and when walking on the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 11:18-19

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who lived in a land of intense darkness light has shined. Isaiah 9:2

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; the government shall be upon His shoulder; and HIs name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. This is the One who was in the beginning with God. Through Him everything came into being and without Him nothing that exists came into being. In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:1-5

For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, so that whoever believes in HIm should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Peace I bequeath to you; My peace I give to you. I do not give you gifts such as the world gives. Do not allow your hearts to be disturbed or intimidated. John 14:27

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We are justified freely by His grace through the ransom that Christ Jesus provided; whom God put forward as a reconciling sacrifice through faith in His blod. This was for the vindication of His righteousness in forgiving the sins that previously were committed under God's forbearance, and to vindicate His righteousness at the present time, that He is righteous and that He accepts as righteous him that has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:23-26

Be joyful in the Lord always; again I say, Rejoice. Be known by all the people for your considerateness; the Lord is near. Entertain not worry, but under all circumstances let your petitions be made known before God by prayer and pleading along with thanksgiving. So will the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding, keep guard over your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

I have strength for every situation through Him who empowers me. Philippians 4:13

Apply your mind to things above, not to things on earth. Colossians 3:2

Let the enriching message of Christ have ample room in your lives as you instruct and admonish one another in all wisdom, with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs that are sung in a thankful spirit in your hearts toward God. Colossians 3:16… (mere)