| About the Latin Old Testament Project |
| How the Project Started God called me back to Himself after one of the most difficult periods of my life, through the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. He reminded me, as I worked through that little book, that He alone lives forever. His works alone last. What we do apart from Him is doomed to failure. I had poured my heart and soul into things that didn’t last. When those things crumbled around me, my faith crumbled with them. It took my bouncing off the hard floor of despair, I suppose, for God to open me up once again to the wonders of His love. Through that process, I rediscovered my passion for the Bible. Translating the ancient Biblical text into modern English is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. There is an infinite depth in scripture. It speaks honestly, to the deepest needs of our hearts. My ministry focuses on bringing the Word of God to others in a thoughtful, honest, and passionate manner. God’ s Word speaks to every situation we face. We think of the Bible as a book about people, places, and events from long ago. That isn’t right. The Bible is a book about us. Every word in it addresses what goes on in our lives. There is nothing I would rather do than open the Word, through translating, writing, teaching, and praying. My ministry is not about preserving institutions. It isn’t about any one of the dozens of things institutions do to keep members happy and keep the money flowing. It is about surrendering day-by-day to the One who sustains us. It is about living in the sometimes-harsh light of God’s truth, spoken through the Bible to every human soul. That’s why I do this. John Cunyus |
| About the Project In 2008, John Cunyus and Searchlight Press began the process of translating the Latin Old Testament into contemporary English. The first books translated in the series were Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. These were published by Searchlight Press as The Way of Wisdom: Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, in both an English and a Latin-English edition. The next book translated was Psalms, using Jerome’s Septuagint translation. This volume appeared as English and Latin-English versions of The Audacity of Prayer: A Fresh Translation of the Book of Psalms. Next in line was The Jagged Edge of Forever: Deuteronomy, Daniel, and the Minor Prophets. This book was published in an English-only edition in September 2009. Beginnings: A Fresh Translation of Genesis appeared as a Latin-English interlinear translation in December 2009. The Latin Torah: Fresh Translation of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, appeared as a Latin- English edition in January 2010. John funds his ongoing work through book sales and individual contributions. Please take a look at his books online at www.JohnCunyus. com. You may contact him to arrange a visit to your church through john@johncunyus.com. |
| John, your translations are splendid! I hope everyone will ask their local library to obtain a copy and buy one personally. I find your translations both direct and elegant and profoundly refreshing! -Father Vincent Uher Houston, Texas |
| I welcome the translation of the Vulgate and the emphasis on Wisdom Literature. The Latin language and particularly the Vulgate have had an enormous impact on the Christian Church and our liturgical and theological formation. Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston |
