Book: Combo of the Old Testament & New Testament Bible, Vietnamese Translation - Translated by Father Nguyễn Thế Thuấn
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The Bible has long been regarded as one of the greatest classics of all time, holding records that no other work has surpassed, such as: the best-selling book of all time (over 7 billion copies published as of 2020); the most translated book (the complete Bible has been translated into 700 languages, and the New Testament alone into over 1,500 languages); the most quoted book, the most influential book, and a source of inspiration for numerous famous works of art worldwide.
The original name of the Bible in Greek is Biblia, meaning "books"; in Latin, it is Scriptura, meaning "writing," "scripture," or "manuscript"; in English, it is called The Bible, meaning the sacred book. When translated into Vietnamese, scholars adopted the Sino-Vietnamese term "Kinh Thánh," as religious texts teaching moral doctrines are often referred to as "Kinh." This name has been widely used in Vietnam, although it carries a religious connotation that may cause misunderstandings among unfamiliar readers.
The Bible consists of two main parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament, compiled over more than 1,600 years from the 12th century BC to the 2nd century AD. It was written in three primary languages: Hebrew (or Hebrew of the Jewish people), Ancient Greek, and some segments in Aramaic, an ancient language widely used in Jewish communities during the time of Jesus Christ.
The Old Testament is the old covenant between the Hebrew people (now called Jews) and God. It consists of 46 books divided into four sections, containing the earliest cosmological and philosophical perspectives of humanity, written by multiple authors from 1200 BC to 100 BC. The New Testament, on the other hand, is the new covenant between Christians and God, originally written in Ancient Greek. It emerged about a century after the rise of Christianity and presents the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
The Bible can be considered an extensive encyclopedia invaluable for studying ancient humanity in various aspects, including history, politics, military affairs, law, ethics, economics, science, medicine, and culture. Thus, without reading and understanding the Bible, it is difficult to fully grasp Western civilization and the world at large.
The translation of the Bible into Vietnamese began in the early 20th century, over 100 years ago, with approximately six complete translations published in Vietnam, primarily within the Catholic community.
The Vietnamese version published by Omega+ is a translation by the late Father Joseph Nguyễn Thế Thuấn, a distinguished scholar of the Catholic Church in Vietnam. This translation has long been considered one of the most reliable and scholarly renditions in Vietnamese. It is highly regarded by researchers and serves as an important reference for seminarians, theological institutes, and religious orders.
1. The New Testament Bible
Publication Information:
· Publisher: Omega Plus
· Translator: Father Nguyễn Thế Thuấn - Redemptorist Order
· ISBN: 978-604-61-9022-6
· Barcode: 8935270703950
· Pages: 680
· Hardcover with protective cover
· Size: 16x24cm
· Weight: 400g
· Publisher: Religious Publishing House
· Year of Publication: 2022
· Language: Vietnamese
Description:
The New Testament consists of 27 books, collectively presenting the new covenant. According to Father Nguyễn Thế Thuấn’s edition, these books vary in length and content but are compiled into a unified collection under the name "New Testament."
The structure of the New Testament includes:
1. The Gospels - Accounts of Jesus' life, teachings, and works: The Gospel of Matthew, The Gospel of Mark, The Gospel of Luke, The Gospel of John.
2. The Acts of the Apostles - A record of the apostles' works, particularly Peter and Paul, in establishing the Church among Jews and Gentiles.
3. Pauline and General Epistles - Letters written by Saint Paul and other apostles to instruct early Christian communities in their faith and to address doctrinal issues.
4. The Book of Revelation - A prophetic work encouraging believers to remain steadfast during persecution under the Roman Empire.
Beyond its theological and religious significance, the New Testament also serves as an internal history of the Church and the Christian community. It provides a unique perspective on the development of Christianity from the time of Jesus' birth, its relationship with Jewish and Roman legal institutions, and the expansion and struggles of the early Christian Church.
2. The Old Testament Bible
Publication Information:
· Publisher: Omega Plus
· Translator: Father Nguyễn Thế Thuấn
· Size: 16x24cm
· Hardcover with protective cover
· Pages: 2388
· Publisher: Religious Publishing House
· Year of Publication: 2023
· Language: Vietnamese
The translation of the Old Testament into Vietnamese began over a century ago, and approximately six complete translations have been published in Vietnam, primarily within the Catholic community.
The Omega+ edition is the work of the late Father Joseph Nguyễn Thế Thuấn, a renowned scholar in the Vietnamese Catholic Church. His translation, completed over 15 years, was nearly finished before his passing in 1975. In late 1976, his religious order finalized the remaining parts and published the first edition in Saigon.
Notable Features of This Translation:
· A meticulously crafted translation based on Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek original texts, cross-referenced with Syriac and Latin versions.
· Detailed biblical annotations by Father Thuấn, widely recognized for their scholarly depth.
· Careful textual analysis, noting variations and textual integrity between manuscripts.
· Marginal notes indicating parallel passages and interrelated texts within the Old Testament.
Content Overview of the Old Testament: The Old Testament consists of 46 books divided into four main sections:
1. The Torah (Law) or Pentateuch - The first five books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) detailing creation, early human history, and God's covenant with Israel.
2. Historical Books - Includes Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, and others, chronicling Israel’s history from settlement in Canaan to the Babylonian exile.
3. Wisdom Literature - Books such as Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, focusing on divine wisdom, moral teachings, and philosophical reflections.
4. Prophetic Books - Major and minor prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and the Twelve Minor Prophets, conveying God's messages to Israel.
This translation is considered essential for those interested in biblical studies, theology, and the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel.
