For those of us who appreciate the cadence and reverence of the 1901 American Standard Version, finding the balance between tradition and readability can be a challenge. I have long admired the ASV, specifically the Byzantine Priority text established by Robert Adam Boyd, for its commitment to the manuscript tradition. However, there is no denying that some of the older phrasing can create linguistic static that pulls the reader out of the narrative.
I am excited to announce the release of the Updated ASV: Reader’s Edition, now available on GitHub here.
The Approach: A Light Touch
My goal for this project was not to reinvent the wheel, but to polish it. When I set out to modernize the New Testament, I made a conscious decision to respect the original tone. You will find that I have kept the familiar thee, thou, and ye, as well as the traditional -eth verb endings. These elements are part of the heritage of the text, and they belong there.
Instead, the focus was on removing the distractions that often slow down modern readers. By updating archaic vocabulary that can cause confusion while leaving the essential structures intact, I have aimed to make the New Testament more accessible without losing the gravity that makes the ASV feel like the ASV.
Public Domain and Byzantine Priority
This edition is built upon the foundational work of Robert Adam Boyd, whose Byzantine Priority readings have been a standard for many who hold to this textual position. Because this text is in the public domain, I am able to offer this refined version freely, ensuring it remains an open project for the benefit of the church and the scholar alike.
Why a Reader’s Edition?
This project is for those who want to sit down and read the New Testament as a cohesive work. By refining the text and focusing specifically on the New Testament, this edition is designed to be cleaner and more fluid for e-readers and print-on-demand layouts. It is a tool for study and devotion, refined for the way we read today.
How to Download the EPUB
If you want to read this edition on your Kindle, phone, or tablet, you can grab the EPUB file directly from the GitHub repository by following these steps:
Click the GitHub repository link below.
On the main page, locate the Releases section on the right-hand side and click on the latest stable version.
Under the Assets section of that release, click on the
.epubfile link to download it to your device.From there, you can transfer it to your e-reader using Calibre, Send to Kindle, or your preferred e-book app.
Get Involved
You can view the latest stable version and follow the development of the project on GitHub: https://github.com/colbycheese79/uasv
I have structured this project as an open effort, and I would welcome anyone interested in the technical side of the project, or those who simply want to use this edition for their own personal study, to take a look.
Thank you for following along with Eschaton Echoes. I hope this edition serves you well in your reading.