PREFACE 

For several years now I have been in the process of translating the Bible from the original ancient languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. I call my translation Carr's Christian Bible (CCB). The wonderful ordeal of translating is a slow, arduous undertaking. Starting first with the Christian Greek Scriptures (or, "New Testament"), I've completed several smaller books (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, etc.), but am simultaneously focusing on the Gospel of Matthew since it contains the words, life, and times of Jesus Christ, the most popular person in history.

For this reason, even though I haven't finished Matthew yet, I'm listing the chapters that I have completed. Translation is hard but exciting work. You realize that chapter and verse indications, while useful, can be potentially, though mildly, halting and unwittingly and subconsciously disruptive. When the Bible writers wrote their narratives, they didn't use chapter-verse divisions.

And if you approach the text with this mind-set, you're likely to detect connections that would otherwise be lost on the reader. Take for example the end of Matthew chapter three (verses 16 and 17), and the beginning of chapter four (verses 1 through 3).

"After his baptism Jesus quickly came up from the water. Look there in the sky! The clouds of heaven parted and he saw God's spirit coming down upon him in the form of a dove. Look again! Also there was a voice from the heavens that said: ‘This is my beloved Son! He has my full approval and complete support.'" (Matthew 3:16, 17) Now let's turn our attention to the beginning of chapter four, which picks up right after the baptismal scene.

"Then the spirit moved Jesus to strike out for the desert so that the Devil could test him.  After fasting forty days and nights, Jesus naturally felt hungry. Detecting this, the Diabolical Tester approached him and mockingly challenged: 'If you're truly one of God's sons, [I couldn't help but notice all the fanfare and circus atmosphere surrounding your baptism]...'" (Matthew 4:1-3a) The Devil evidently witnessed Jesus' baptism and heard God declare that this was his "beloved Son," so could therefore challenge, "If you're truly one of God's sons..."

Fascinating transitions like this are especially evident to me as I go about my translation. I fully expect, though, that I'll inevitably miss some. This is why it is so good that there are so many translations. You can never have enough. No Bible translator or translation committee can boast of fully and accurately harnessing all the diversity, fluidity, brilliance, and multi-faceted nature of God's thoughts in his or her or their version of the Holy Writings. Thank God that the Bible is by far the most translated book in all human history!

I truly hope you find reading my humble attempt at translation to be a truly enjoyable experience. Please stay tuned for the addition of more chapters and books in the days to come.