If you're a long time Bible reader, this paraphrase will awaken you to new perspectives on familiar Scriptures. When I read it, I find myself thinking, "Oh, I never thought of it that way," or "Well, I don't think I agree with his take on that verse." Either way, I enjoy this straight-forward reading of Scripture a little more than the NIV. Honest.

The reviewers below are right--this is a _fun_ translation. The obvious wit and humor of Jesus easily shines though, unlike the unreliable and nearly worthless King James mistranlation. For example, when his disciples get scared, Jesus essentially teases them, "What wrong, little-faiths? Lost your nerve?" This is a pleasure to read. Written the way people talk (and I'm sure people thousands of years ago talked just as people do today), this version, although written in 1958, should still be an essential addition to the library of anyone interested in the Bible.

Great work. This is a true translation that offers insight into the meaning that may be lost on the modern ear in many previous translations. It doesn't have the same feel as those that came after (viz., NIV, NKJV, etc.), where a very formal language is preferred, but it's held up over time. I think it's the informality that gives it its special charm. It also helps to know that Philips was not only a skilled translator, but a mature Christian. I think the text will please on levels that others don't approach. Best description: it's kind of folksy.

My Dad gave this to me when I was 9. I've been reading it off and on for about 30 years. If it was the only translation available, it would be more than adequate.

I only wish Phillips had finished more of the Old Testament before he died.

Exploring Proverbs goes systematically through the book of Proverbs giving interesting but lengthy stories to illustrate Solomon's witty observations on human nature. Unfortunately the commentary is marred by errors, guilt and narrowmindedness. "Christian Science members are deluded victims of cults who are totally blind" (page 20). "Masons are a cult" (page 43). We are all "poor sinners... in this dark world of sin" (page 336). Phillips quotes the King James version which is the hardest to understand and least accurate. He not only fails to correct the KJV mistranslation of "Sheol" or "death" as "Hell" in Proverbs 15.11 (a New Testament concept), but then proceeds with a lengthy discertation on Hell. Yahweh is mistranslated as Jehovah on pages 196 & 554. Although today's Bible scholars are unanimous that Ecclesiastes was written 700 years after Solomon died, Phillips attributes Ecclesiastes to Solomon (page 199). For a more up-to-date and accurate commentary on Proverbs read THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE BOOK OF PROVERBS by Cody Jones (1999). Five modern translations are included in parallel to the KJV to improve accuracy and understanding. The comments are interesting and very readable and put things into a historical setting. It includes many historical drawings and photos to give you a sense of the culture of the time.

John Phillip's work is excellent devotionally. I bought Cody Jones' work on Proverbs and it was a total waste of money. Apparently Cody Jones is using the reviews on Amazon to blast other writers and to praise his own work. That should tell you what work you want to explore (M. Fox's work on Proverbs 1-9 is one of the finest today).

I have found Phillips commentary not only easy to read and understand, but devotionally inspiring as well as doctrinally sound. His excellent outline of each chapter is worth the price of the volume. It certainly makes preaching and teaching through the Proverbs a joy. I sometimes use it for my morning devotional study. Every Christian would profit from reading this volume.

The author examines Genesis from a strict fundamentalist/literalist/"scientific creationism" point of view. Typical quotes from the book are: "The other books of the Pentateuch, Moses wrote out of his experience, but not Genesis. Genesis he learned at his mother's knee." "The basic command for all living things is that each reproduce 'after its kind'... It is the rock upon which the whole theory of evolution perishes." "One great factor in precipitating the Flood was the intercourse between 'the sons of God' and the daughters of men that resulted in a demon progeny of extraordinary influence." "Noah was fruitful... Three sons. That does not look like very much fruit, but from those three sons every man, woman, and child on the planet has descended." The book's principal weakness is that the author continually draws conclusions from scripture that the text does not substantiate. For example, about Joseph's brother Gad, a man of whom the Bible tells us only his name, Phillips writes as follows: "There was something about Gad that savored of the gang. He was the bully type, the kind who would pick a fight when it was safe, when numbers were on his side... Gad, the coward."

This book is full of historical and factual material that is very helpful. The outlines are extra good and useable. The spritual insight is very challenging and preachable. The best commentary I have read on Genisus.