Amplified Bible

Published in 1958, the Amplified Bible was a joint project of the Lockman Foundation and Zondervan Publishing House.

The man with the idea for the Amplified Bible was Frances E. Siewert, who sought to create a version that would offer the reader a sense of the richeness in the range of meanings in the words of the ancient languages. A translation often involves selecting just one word or phrase among many to express the ancient word in the English language. The Amplified Bible avoids the limitations of a word-for-word translation, listing within the text other translation options.

The Amplified Bible makes a good supplementary Bible, although I wouldn't recommend it as your only Bible. Some may like it, while others find it annoying.

For the most part, it is a mini-commentary. Apart from the amplification, the translation itself has no significant merit. The intent of the translators was to keep, as far as possible, the familiar wording of the earlier versions. If there is value in the Amplified Bible, it is in the amplification.

IN THE beginning God (prepared, formed, fashioned, and) created the heavens and the earth. -- Genesis 1:1

The earth was without form and an empty waste, and darkness was upon the face of the very great deep. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters. -- Genesis 1:2

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([a]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. -- John 3:16