Preface

The Holy Bible - Urim-Thummim Version (UTV), is named after the object kept in the breastplate of the High Priest of Israel, and worn near his heart (see Exodus 28:30). It was the means by which the perfect revelation of Elohim, [the (G-d) of Israel] had utilized in communicating to His people. The Holy Bible therefore had its origin in part through this type of communication that has long been forgotten today by the scores of scholars attempting to translate for us a perfect Bible. This translation uses the time-honoured Authorized King James Version as its "base text" in presenting to the public a restored Bible that accurately reflects the original Scriptures. For the Book of Enoch we have used the public domain translation of R.H. Charles. This translation therefore will retain much of the King James flavour to it that so many people have come to respect, yet each verse has been Hand Crafted in the style of many of the old Bibles that history has forgotten. All the archaic words in the KJV (base text) have been replaced with modern equivalents, but more importantly, all the original Hebrew and Greek words have been checked over and replaced with words reflecting those definitions. For example, "tabernacle of the congregation" in the KJV is rendered "Tabernacle at the Appointed Place" in the UTV. This translation also does not restrict itself by employing one translation method over another, but uses whatever method it takes to obtain the desired result of showing the reader what the original words are conveying. Where the KJV is very clear I have left a number of verses untouched and where the underlying meaning is obscured, I have eliminated the KJV text altogether with my own rendering or have used Young's Literal Translation in its place. For some verses that are not highly theological in nature, an occasional paraphrasing has been utilized where appropriate. But, as I mentioned, this translation employs whatever method best accomplishes the job on a �verse by verse� basis.

Another feature that makes the UTV different from all other modern Bible versions is that the books of the Bible are not arranged in the traditional order. Rather they reflect the final parchment order of the books that restores the proper story flow to EIGHT DIVISIONS. Therefore the entire UTV has been arranged in the order as follows:

The FINAL Parchment Order of all the Books of the Bible

LAW

Genesis

Exodus

Leviticus

Numbers

Deuteronomy

PROPHETS

Joshua- Judges

I &II Samuel

I&II Kings

Isaiah

Jeremiah

Ezekiel

Hosea thru Malachi

WRITINGS

Psalms

Proverbs

Job

Song of Solomon

Ruth

Lamentations

Ecclesiastes

Esther

Daniel

Ezra- Nehemiah

I&II Chronicles

GOSPELS

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Acts

EPISTLES

James

I&II Peter

I&II&III John

Jude

EPISTLES

Romans

I&II Corinthians

Galatians

Ephesians

Philippians

Colossians

I&II Thessalonians

Hebrews

I&II Timothy

Titus

Philemon

REVELATION

Revelation

ENOCH

Enoch 

I have retained the same verse numbering as found in the KJV so that compatibility is maintained with standard reference works. Another feature that this Bible has is an absence of long notes and appendix type gadgets that many of us have used but more of us have not used. All effort is made to show the Word of G-d in this version and nothing else. Other than this brief explanation on how this Bible came about, this version seeks to present the Holy Bible exclusively. Also a note must be made on the Book of Revelation. Because Revelation gives a warning to anyone who would alter that book (see Rev.22:19), the UTV will strictly follow after that idea by not changing anything and will use Young's Literal Translation as its "base text" but carefully replacing archaic words with modern equivalents only. Regarding the treatment of Divine names there is a prohibition on using the Divine Name in Amos 6:7-11. We therefore have chosen to use YHWH and substituting the "W" with what should be a "V" rendering. And as can be noted for the word "God" in the KJV we have selected its literal Hebrew transliteration "Elohim" in its place and use other Hebrew transliterations for other titles and some key theological words such as "sheol", which has been rendered in traditional ways in many versions.

The translator of this version is a Christian with over 30 years of intensely studying the Bible, but more importantly reading and comparing the Scriptures themselves with the original definitions. The Dead Sea Scrolls have also been consulted where available, as they give us the earliest copies of original Bible text. For consistency I have used Webster's New International Dictionary, Second Edition (unabridged), as my sole source for the English definitions of words. Roget's College Thesaurus was also used for finding synonyms. For Hebrew and Greek definitions, I have used Bible software from Bibleworks version 4.0, and PC Study Bible version 3.0. I have also employed numbers instead of written numbers where appropriate. Regarding Weights and Measures I have rendered them in non-metric standards such as "4 quarts" versus "4.5 litres" I encourage all who read the UTV to put it to the test as the Scriptures tell us to "prove all things" (see I Thess.5:21). The UTV now presents to the public at large a modern Bible version that is easy to read, yet filled with highly descriptive words accurately reflecting the original that will give the reader a new depth and understanding to the Word of G-d in our modern day and age. And still, for those who have laboured long with the time-honoured King James Version, much of its flavour has also been preserved for the palate of the reader. Lastly, this version will continue the process of revision that speaks of the perfect revelation of Light that shines "more and more unto that perfect day" which leads us to perfection. For more information on our continuing translation work and revision updates, contact the author below for more information.

Dallas E. James

February 22, 2006