Tr ansl ation Information & text samples

Amplified Bible 2015

Overview

Summary:
The goal of the translation team was to enhance the appeal of
the Amplified Bible by refreshing the base translation text and
refining the amplifications for relevance and clarity. The result
is an Amplified Bible that is easier to read and better than ever
to study and understand. The Amplified Bible, 2015 edition,
includes more amplification in the Old Testament and refined
amplification in the New Testament. Additionally, the Bible text
has been improved to read smoothly without or without amplifications, so that the text may be read either way. The same feel
and style of amplification has been maintained, so that those
who read the 1987 Amplified Bible will be able to easily transition to the revised edition.

Details:
The Amplified Bible 2015 is, as much as is practical, a Literal
Equivalent translation of the Bible that enhances the clarity of
Scripture by using in-text amplifications. The amplifications are
based on the nuances of the Greek and Hebrew languages and
are informed by the latest advances in Biblical research. These
amplifications uniquely expand and clarify the Biblical text,
giving the reader a deeper understanding of Scripture.
The Amplified Bible, 2015 edition, actually provides two
translations of the Bible. This method of translation invites
readers to step into a broader understanding of Scripture as
the amplifications help them to dig deeper into the meaning of
Biblical passages by highlighting nuances of the original Greek
and Hebrew.
2

The Amplified Bible, 2015 edition, consists of two parts:

1. The Foundational Translation faithfully follows the original
Greek and Hebrew text and may be read by skipping over
the amplifications.
2. The Amplified Translation includes amplifications to
enhance readability and textual understanding, and to
provide a framework for deeper study and spiritual growth
by providing fresh insights into the text itself.
Here a few of the benefits of reading the Amplified Bible:
1. Amplifications reveal a words intensity or power along
with the nuances of the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek word
used in the original text:
So repent [change your inner selfyour old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to Godseek His purpose
for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted
out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may
come from the presence of the Lord [restoring you like a
cool wind on a hot day]. Acts 3:19

2. Amplifications clarify the meaning of a theological word:

Who will bring any charge against Gods elect (His chosen
ones)? It is God who justifies us [declaring us blameless
and putting us in a right relationship with Himself ].
Romans 8:33

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through

and through [that is, separate you from profane things,
make you pure and whole and undamagedconsecrated
to Himset apart for His purpose]; and may your spirit
and soul and body be kept complete and [be found]
blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:23

3. Amplifications give greater depth to key verses:

And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is
deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work
together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to
those who are called according to His plan and purpose.
Romans 8:28

I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through

Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purposeI am sufficient in Christs sufficiency; I am ready for
anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength
and confident peace]. Philippians 4:13

Amplifications of the same word or phrase may differ slightly

depending on context or emphasis, or to indicate another
nuance of theology or language, or to encourage self-study.
Also many words (e.g., flesh) have slightly different meanings in different contexts, so amplifications vary accordingly.
Amplification permits traditional theological terms to be
retained in the text while they are also clarified by a contemporary word or phrase. Retaining and amplifying these traditional words gives the reader access to the depth of meaning
rooted in these terms.
4. Use of brackets in the Amplified Bible:
A. Brackets are used to add information, supported by other
Scripture, that helps explain verses that are sometimes
misquoted or misunderstood:
Therefore you have no excuse or justification, everyone
of you who [hypocritically] judges and condemns others;
for in passing judgment on another person, you condemn
yourself, because you who judge [from a position of arrogance or self-righteousness] are habitually practicing the
very same things [which you denounce]. Romans 2:1

For the love of money [that is, the greedy desire for it
or the willingness to gain it unethically] is the root of all
sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered
away from the faith and pierced themselves [through and
through] with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10

B. In some verses brackets are used to clarify a theological

term not commonly used in everyday language:
Therefore, since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us
grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy
of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ
(the Messiah, the Anointed). Romans 5:1

C. Brackets can also be used within a verse to add

information that would otherwise be placed in a
footnote:
At that time Herod [Antipas], the tetrarch [who governed
a portion of Palestine, including Galilee and Perea], having
heard reports about Jesus, Matthew 14:1

Note: Brackets in bold type [...] indicate manuscript differences and are footnoted.
5. Use of italics in the Amplified Bible:
A. Words implied, but not actually contained in the original
text are printed in italic type:
Then came the preparation day of Unleavened Bread on
which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Luke 22:7

B. The use of italic and or, or nor introduces

amplification within a sentence:
But if you are guided and led by the Spirit, you are not
subject to the Law. Galatians 5:18

Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or exasperate your

children [with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or
humiliating or abusive; nor by favoritism or indifference;
treat them tenderly with lovingkindness], so they will not
lose heart and become discouraged or unmotivated [with
their spirits broken]. Colossians 3:21

6. Use of parentheses in the Amplified Bible:

A. Parentheses in Roman type (...) supply the definition of a
word in context:
Now Hagar is (represents) Mount Sinai in Arabia and she
corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery
with her children. Galatians 4:25

B. Parentheses in bold type (...) indicate a parenthetical

phrase in the text and should be included when reading
aloud:
Or do you not know brethren (for I am speaking to those
who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction [to rule]
over a person as long as he lives? Romans 7:1

7. Use of nouns and pronouns in the Amplified Bible:

A. Names of persons and/or places are often used to replace
pronouns to help the readers understanding of a verse
without having to return to the beginning of the passage
for clarity.
B. In some verses pronouns retained in the text may be
followed by a proper name placed in parenthesis:
...he (John) saw the Spirit of God...lighting on Him
(Jesus). Matthew 3:16

C. Pronouns referring to God, the Father; Jesus, the Son; and

the Holy Spirit are always capitalized, so that the reader
immediately recognizes deity in the text:
6

Peter took Him aside [to speak to Him privately] and

began to rebuke Him, saying, May God forbid it! This will
never happen to You. Matthew 16:22

8. General format (paragraphs/verse numbers) in the

Amplified Bible:
A. Quotation marks have been added according to normal
English usage.
B. Each verse number starts on a new line so the reader can
immediately find a verse regardless of its position within
a paragraph.
C. Paragraph markers have been added as indicated by a
bold verse number or a bold letter if the new paragraph
begins within a verse for verse settings.
D. Old Testament quotations in the New Testament are set in
distinctive type.

STATS
Verse Count
AMP 1987

AMP 2015

OT
23,145
NT
7,956
TOTAL 31,101

OT
23,145
NT
7,958
TOTAL 31,103

Number of Amplifications
(includes multiple amplifications per verse)

Number of Amplifications

35,000

NT -7%
NT

30,000

AMP 1987
AMP 2015

25,000
20,000
NT

15,000

+19%
NT

OT

NT

OT OT

10,000

OT

+14%

5,000

NT OT

[]

OT

()

-52%
NT
OT

and/or/nor

TOTAL

Number of Amplifications
(as percentage of total amplifications)
AMP 1987

CHANGE

AMP 2015

[ ] +15%
( ) + 3%
and/or/nor -17%

and/or/nor

and/or/nor
36%

()

19%

[]

52%

()

[]

15%

67%

12%

Number of Verses Amplified

(only counting verses with an amplification)

Number of Verses Amplified

20,000

+7%
NT
NT

15,000

AMP 1987

+18%
NT
OT

NT
OT

10,000

OT

NT

OT

5,000
0

AMP 2015

+27%
NT
NT OT

[]

-39%
OT NT
OT

OT

()

and/or/nor

TOTAL

Number of Verses Amplified

(as percentage of total Bible verses)
+4%

Percentage of Verses Amplified

60%
50%

+7%

AMP 1987

40%

AMP 2015

30%
20%

-11%

+3%

10%
0

[]

()

and/or/nor

TOTAL

Verse Comparison
Most of these verses demonstrate typical revisions, and for
that reason probably contain an above average amount of differences.

AMP 1987

AMP 2015

Genesis 4:7 If you do well, will you

not be accepted? And if you do not
do well, sin crouches at your door;
its desire is for you, but you must
master it.

Genesis 4:7 If you do well [believing

Me and doing what is acceptable
and pleasing to Me], will you not
be accepted? And if you do not do
well [but ignore My instruction], sin
crouches at your door; its desire is for
you [to overpower you], but you must
master it.

Genesis 15:1 After these things, the

word of the Lord came to Abram in a
vision, saying, Fear not, Abram, I am
your Shield, your abundant compensation, and your reward shall be
exceedingly great.

Genesis 15:1 After these things the

word of the LORD came to Abram in
a vision, saying, Do not be afraid,
Abram, I am your shield; Your reward
[for obedience] shall be very great.

1 Kings 11:12 However, in your days

I will not do it, for David your fathers
sake. But I will rend it out of the hand
of your son!

1 Kings 11:12 However, I will not do

it in your lifetime, for the sake of your
father David, but I will tear it out of
the hand of your son (Rehoboam).

1 Kings 18:17 When Ahab saw Elijah,

Ahab said to him, Are you he who
troubles Israel?

1 Kings 18:17 When Ahab saw Elijah,

Ahab said to him, Are you the one
who is bringing disaster on Israel?

Job 1:8 And the Lord said to Satan,

Have you considered My servant Job,
that there is none like him on the
earth, a blameless and upright man,
one who [reverently] fears God and
abstains from and shuns evil [because it is wrong]?

Job 1:8 The LORD said to Satan,

Have you considered and reflected
on My servant Job? For there is none
like him on the earth, a blameless
and upright man, one who fears God
[with reverence] and abstains from
and turns away from evil [because he
honors God].

10

AMP 1987

AMP 2015

Job 2:12 And when they looked from

afar off and saw him [disfigured] beyond recognition, they lifted up their
voices and wept; and each one tore
his robe, and they cast dust over their
heads toward the heavens.

Job 2:12 When they looked from a

distance and did not recognize him
[because of his disfigurement], they
raised their voices and wept; and
each one tore his robe [in grief] and
they threw dust over their heads
toward the sky [in sorrow].

Psalm 19:10 More to be desired are

they than gold, even than much
fine gold; they are sweeter also
than honey and drippings from the
honeycomb.

Psalm 19:10 They are more desirable

than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the
drippings of the honeycomb.

Psalm 25:12 Who is the man who

reverently fears and worships the
Lord? Him shall He teach in the way
that he should choose.

Psalm 25:12 Who is the man who

fears the LORD [with awe-inspired
reverence and worships Him with
submissive wonder]? He will teach
him [through His word] in the way he
should choose.

Proverbs 16:22 Understanding is a

Proverbs 16:22 Understanding
wellspring of life to those who have it, (spiritual insight) is a [refreshing and
but to give instruction to fools is folly. boundless] wellspring of life to those
who have it, But to give instruction
and correction to fools is foolishness.
Proverbs 17:24 A man of understanding sets skillful and godly Wisdom
before his face, but the eyes of a
[self-confident] fool are on the ends
of the earth.

Proverbs 17:24 [Skillful and godly]

wisdom is in the presence of a person
of understanding [and he recognizes
it], But the eyes of a [thickheaded]
fool are on the ends of the earth.

Ecclesiastes 8:3 Be not panic-stricken and hasty to get out of his presence. Persist not in an evil thing, for
he does whatever he pleases.

Ecclesiastes 8:3 Do not be in a hurry

to get out of his presence. Do not join
in a malevolent matter, for the king
will do whatever he pleases.

Ecclesiastes 11:1 Cast your bread

upon the waters, for you will find it
after many days.

Ecclesiastes 11:1 Cast your bread on

the surface of the waters, [be diligently active, make thoughtful decisions],
for you will find it after many days.

11

AMP 1987

AMP 2015

Isaiah 5:11 Woe unto those who rise

early in the morning, that they may
pursue strong drink, who tarry late
into the night till wine inflames them!

Isaiah 5:11 Woe (judgment is coming) to those who rise early in the
morning to pursue intoxicating drink,
Who stay up late in the night till wine
inflames them!

Isaiah 21:12 The watchman said, The

morning comes, but also the night.
[Another time, if Edom earnestly
wishes to know] if you will inquire [of
me], inquire; return, come again.

Isaiah 21:12 The watchman says,

The morning comes [only briefly],
but also [comes] the night [of Babylonian oppression]. If you would ask [of
me then], ask [again, if Edom really
wishes to know]; Come back again.

Zechariah 9:8 Then I will encamp

about My house as a guard or a
garrison so that none shall march
back and forth, and no oppressor
or demanding collector shall again
overrun them, for now My eyes are
upon them.

Zechariah 9:8 Then I will camp

around My house [as a guard] because of an army, Because of him
who passes by and returns; And no
oppressor will again overrun them
(Israel), For now My eyes are upon
them [providentially protecting
them].

Luke 2:49 And He said to them, How

is it that you had to look for Me? Did
you not see and know that it is necessary [as a duty] for Me to be in My
Fathers house and [occupied] about
My Fathers business?

Luke 2:49 And He answered, Why

did you have to look for Me? Did
you not know that I had to be in My
Fathers {house?}

Luke 6:35 But love your enemies and

be kind and do good [doing favors
so that someone derives benefit
from them] and lend, expecting and
hoping for nothing in return {but}
considering nothing as lost and
despairing of no one; and then your
recompense (your reward) will be
great (rich, strong, intense, and abundant), and you will be sons of the
Most High, for He is kind and charitable and good to the ungrateful and
the selfish and wicked.

Luke 6:35 But love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for]
your enemies, and do good, and lend,
expecting nothing in return; for your
reward will be great (rich, abundant),
and you will be sons of the Most
High; because He Himself is kind and
gracious and good to the ungrateful
and the wicked.

12

AMP 1987

AMP 2015

Acts 3:19 So repent (change your

mind and purpose); turn around and
return [to God], that your sins may
be erased (blotted out, wiped clean),
that times of refreshing (of recovering
from the effects of heat, of reviving
with fresh air) may come from the
presence of the Lord;

Acts 3:19 So repent [change your

inner selfyour old way of thinking,
regret past sins] and return [to God
seek His purpose for your life], so that
your sins may be wiped away [blotted
out, completely erased], so that times
of refreshing may come from the
presence of the Lord [restoring you
like a cool wind on a hot day];

Acts 8:6 And great crowds of people

with one accord listened to and heeded what was said by Philip, as they
heard him and watched the miracles
and wonders which he kept performing [from time to time].

Acts 8:6 The crowds gathered and

were paying close attention to everything Philip said, as they heard [the
message] and saw the [miraculous]
signs which he was doing [validating
his message].

Romans 8:28 We are assured and

know that [God being a partner in
their labor] all things work together
and are [fitting into a plan] for good
to and for those who love God and
are called according to [His] design
and purpose.

Romans 8:28 And we know [with

great confidence] that God [who is
deeply concerned about us] causes
all things to work together [as a plan]
for good for those who love God, to
those who are called according to His
plan and purpose.

Romans 8:33 Who shall bring any

charge against Gods elect [when it is]
God Who justifies [that is, Who puts
us in right relation to Himself? Who
shall come forward and accuse or impeach those whom God has chosen?
Will God, Who acquits us?]

Romans 8:33 Who will bring any

charge against Gods elect (His chosen ones)? It is God who justifies us
[declaring us blameless and putting
us in a right relationship with Himself].

Philippians 1:19 For I am well assured and indeed know that through
your prayers and a bountiful supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ (the
Messiah) this will turn out for my
preservation (for the spiritual health
and welfare of my own soul) and avail
toward the saving work of the Gospel.

Philippians 1:19 for I know [with

confidence] that this will turn out for
my deliverance and spiritual well-being, through your prayers and the
[superabundant] supply of the Spirit
of Jesus Christ [which upholds me].

13

AMP 1987

AMP 2015

Philippians 4:13 I have strength for

all things in Christ Who empowers
me [I am ready for anything and
equal to anything through Him Who
infuses inner strength into me; I am
self-sufficient in Christs sufficiency].

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things

[which He has called me to do]
through Him who strengthens and
empowers me [to fulfill His purposeI am self-sufficient in Christs
sufficiency; I am ready for anything
and equal to anything through Him
who infuses me with inner strength
and confident peace.]

Colossians 2:5 For though I am away

from you in body, yet I am with you
in spirit, delighted at the sight of your
[standing shoulder to shoulder in
such] orderly array and the firmness
and the solid front and steadfastness
of your faith in Christ [that leaning of
the entire human personality on Him
in absolute trust and confidence in
His power, wisdom, and goodness].

Colossians 2:5 For even though I am

absent [from you] in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, delighted
to see your good discipline [as you
stand shoulder to shoulder and form
a solid front] and to see the stability
of your faith in Christ [your steadfast
reliance on Him and your unwavering confidence in His power, wisdom,
and goodness].

Colossians 3:5 So kill (deaden, deprive of power) the evil desire lurking
in your members [those animal
impulses and all that is earthly in you
that is employed in sin]: sexual vice,
impurity, sensual appetites, unholy
desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things
instead of God).

Colossians 3:5 So put to death and

deprive of power the evil longings of
your earthly body [with its sensual,
self-centered instincts] immorality,
impurity, {sinful} passion, evil desire,
and greed, which is [a kind of] idolatry [because it replaces your devotion
to God].

Colossians 4:5 Behave yourselves

wisely [living prudently and with
discretion] in your relations with
those of the outside world (the nonChristians), making the very most of
the time and seizing (buying up) the
opportunity.

Colossians 4:5 Conduct yourself with

wisdom in your interactions with
outsiders (non-believers), make the
most of each opportunity [treating it
as something precious].

14

AMP 1987

AMP 2015

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money

is a root of all evils; it is through this
craving that some have been led
astray and have wandered from the
faith and pierced themselves through
with many acute [mental] pangs.

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money

[that is, the greedy desire for it and
the willingness to gain it unethically]
is a root of all sorts of evil, and some
by longing for it have wandered away
from the faith and pierced themselves [through and through] with
many sorrows.

Galatians 4:15 What has become of

that blessed enjoyment and satisfaction and self-congratulation that
once was yours [in what I taught you
and in your regard for me]? For I bear
you witness that you would have torn
out your own eyes and have given
them to me [to replace mine], if that
were possible.

Galatians 4:15 What then has become of that sense of blessing and
the joy that you once had [from your
salvation and your relationship with
Christ]? For I testify of you that, if
possible, you would have torn out
your own eyes and given them to me
[to replace mine].

Galatians 5:4 If you seek to be justified and declared righteous and to

be given a right standing with God
through the Law, you are brought to
nothing and so separated (severed)
from Christ. You have fallen away
from grace (from Gods gracious favor
and unmerited blessing).

Galatians 5:4 You have been severed

from Christ, if you seek to be justified
[that is, declared free of the guilt of
sin and its penalty, and placed right
standing with God] through the Law;
you have fallen from grace [for you
have lost your grasp on Gods unmerited favor and blessing].

Hebrews 11:7 [Prompted] by faith

Noah, being forewarned by God concerning events of which as yet there
was no visible sign, took heed and
diligently and reverently constructed
and prepared an ark for the deliverance of his own family. By this [his
faith which relied on God] he passed
judgment and sentence on the
worlds unbelief and became an heir
and possessor of righteousness (that
relation of being right into which God
puts the person who has faith).

Hebrews 11:7 By faith [with confidence in God and His word] Noah,
being warned {by God} about events
not yet seen, in reverence prepared
an ark for the salvation of his family. By this [act of obedience] he
condemned the world and became
an heir of the righteousness which
comes by faith.

15

AMP 1987

AMP 2015

Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham,

when he was put to the test [while
the testing of his faith was still in
progress], had already brought Isaac
for an offering; he who had gladly received and welcomed [Gods] promises was ready to sacrifice his only son,

Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham,

when he was tested [that is, as the
testing of his faith was still in progress], offered up Isaac, and he who
had received the promises [of God]
was ready to sacrifice his only son [of
promise];

James 1:5 If any of you is deficient in

wisdom, let him ask of the giving God
[Who gives] to everyone liberally and
ungrudgingly, without reproaching or
faultfinding, and it will be given him.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom

[to guide him through a decision or
circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone
generously and without rebuke or
blame, and it will be given to him.

James 1:19 Understand [this], my

beloved brethren. Let every man be
quick to hear [a ready listener], slow
to speak, slow to take offense and to
get angry.

James 1:19 Understand this, my

beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful,
thoughtful listener], slow to speak
[a speaker of carefully chosen words
and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving];

1 Peter 1:13 So brace up your minds;

be sober (circumspect, morally alert);
set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is
coming to you when Jesus Christ (the
Messiah) is revealed.

1 Peter 1:13 So prepare your minds

for action, be completely sober [in
spiritsteadfast, self-disciplined,
spiritually and morally alert], fix
your hope completely on the grace
[of God] that is coming to you when
Jesus Christ is revealed

1 Peter 3:2 When they observe the

pure and modest way in which you
conduct yourselves, together with
your reverence [for your husband;
you are to feel for him all that reverence includes: to respect, defer
to, revere himto honor, esteem,
appreciate, prize, and, in the human sense, to adore him, that is, to
admire, praise, be devoted to, deeply
love, and enjoy your husband].

1 Peter 3:2 when they see your modest and respectful behavior [together
with your devotion and appreciationlove your husband, encourage
him, and enjoy him as a blessing
from God].

16

AMP 1987

AMP 2015

Revelation 2:5 Remember then from

what heights you have fallen. Repent
(change the inner man to meet Gods
will) and do the works you did previously [when first you knew the Lord],
or else I will visit you and remove
your lampstand from its place, unless
you change your mind and repent.

Revelation 2:5 So remember {the

heights} from which you have fallen,
and repent [change your inner self
your old way of thinking, your sinful
behaviorseek Gods will] and do
the works you did at first [when you
first knew Me]; otherwise, I will visit
you and remove your lampstand (the
church, its impact) from its place
unless you repent.

Revelation 22:11 He who is unrighteous (unjust, wicked), let him be

unrighteous still; and he who is filthy
(vile, impure), let him be filthy still;
and he who is righteous (just, upright, in right standing with God), let
him do right still; and he who is holy,
let him be holy still.

Revelation 22:11 Let the one who

does wrong, still do wrong; and the
one who is filthy (vile, impure), still
be filthy; and the one who is righteous (just, upright), still be righteous; and the one who is holy, still
be holy.

17

A va i l ab l e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 5

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