For Christians, the New Testament is God's second greatest gift to mankind, the first being his divine Son, whom it so richly celebrates. They read, ponder, memorize, preach, teach, obey, and cherish this book like life itself.

It's easy to see why. The New Testament contains the answers to all our ultimate questions: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going? Can we find peace, hope, and joy in a world burdened with evil, suffering, and death? Furthermore, recognizing that such questions reflect our deepest spiritual needs, it goes on to offer us priceless gifts: forgiveness of sins, spiritual rebirth, prayer, purpose, wisdom, strength, and a sure hope of heaven.

But most importantly, it tells us how we can experience God as a loving heavenly Father, not based on our own works, but on simple faith in the all-sufficient work of his Son, Jesus Christ; and it tells us how we can live with them forever in a glorious new world to come.

Ever mindful that the New Testament contains such treasures, faithful translators of the original Greek earnestly strive for two great goals: accuracy and readability. In this modern version, translator Dean Davis has done the same, seeking to meet the scholarly requirements of those who preach from the pulpit, but always in a way that reaches deep into the hearts of the people in the pews.

In short, he has sought for his work what he has seen in his Savior: that truth and beauty have kissed. His sincere hope is that the reader will find they have done so sweetly in The New Testament for Pulpit and Pew.