Brian Simmons Releases New Edition of His Nutty Passion Bible Translation
Brian Simmons has release a new book of his Passion Translation, recently adding Jeremiah and Lamentations to the list.
Here is one translation of Jeremiah’s most taken-out-of-context verse, and Simmons does not disappoint.
For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NASB
Here’s what Yahweh says to you: I know all about the marvelous destiny I have in store for you, a future planned out in detail. I have no intention to harm you, but to surround you with peace and prosperity, give you a beautiful future, glistening with hope. Jeremiah 29:11 TPT
It’s good news for Simmons, who recently had his translation dropped from Bible Gateway and lost the endorsement of Michael W. Smith, resulting in Simmons playing the victim and claiming he’s been torched by cancel culture.
If anything should be torched, however, it’s his life work.
This bible “translation” might as well have been called “The New Apostolic Reformation Translation,” given that it’s pretty much exclusively endorsed by NAR folk, from Bethel to Bobbie Houston, James Goll, John and Lisa Bevere, Patricia King, Chuck Pierce, and is infused with their special kind of theology.
The Passion is a single-author “translation” of the scriptures by NAR “Apostle” Dr. Brian Simmons of Stairway Ministries, who claimed that Jesus appeared to him during a trip he made to heaven and gave him “secrets” of the Hebrew language. Lest you be confused about the “Dr.” before his name, it wasn’t due to his scholarly prowess.
Instead, he received it from Wagner Leadership Institute – an NAR organization founded by C. Peter Wagner that offers courses in subjects like dream interpretation and miracle-working and where you can get a “Masters of Spiritual Healing, Deliverance, and Warfare” or a “Masters of Apostolic Leadership and Applied Ministry.”
He claimed during a conversation with Sid Roth that one time, he was so full of the Holy Spirit that God “literally” melted a wall in his house. He further claimed that following this incident, he went shopping where anyone who came within 12 feet of him fell to the ground, including knocking out 60 children.
Then there is the other ‘crazy as a rat in a coffee can’ stuff he says regularly: See below. (Warning: brief representation of Jesus)
As to his “Bible” Simmons claims
I believe I got baptized in the spirit Revelation in that Library room of Heaven… Every time I open the Bible I get fresh insight, It speaks to me, it goes beyond the mind. I get dreams and revelation from the Lord that is clear and prophetic…There is a breath upon this work that goes beyond a human translator. It is the word of God, it’s God-breathed, and He is wanting this God-breathed word to come alive in this last days. He wants to give us a Revival Bible and I believe the Passion Translation can really be part of that.
Simmons gets all testy when people call it a paraphrase and not a translation, but what does he expect with passages like these provided by Sara Boyd that are added in and are drenched in NAR terminology and doublespeak, not to mention the running commentary found in thousands of footnotes?
Galatians 2:19
ESV: For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God.TPT: It was when I tried to obey the law that I was condemned with a curse, because I’m not able to fulfill every single detail of it. But because the Messiah lives in me, I’ve now died to the law’s dominion over me so that I can live for God in heaven’s freedom!
ESV: Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.
TPT: And those who are taught the Word will receive an impartation from their teacher; a sharing of wealth takes place between them.
ESV: I love you, O Lord, my strength.
TPT: Lord, I passionately love you! I want to embrace you, For now you’ve become my Power!
To learn more about this, watch this video:
h.t to Revealing Truth