Here is John Wycliffe's greatest accomplishment: the translation of the Holy Scriptures into Middle English. Producing the first complete English Bible, Wycliffe was the first to set aside Latin as the language of the Scriptures and reach the English people in their own tongue. Working from contemporary manuscripts of the Latin Vulgate, he sought 'no strange English,' but only the easiest, most common - albeit the most Latin-like language possible. (Latin constructions and word order were preserved even where they conflicted with English idiom.) His work was used by the Lollards, a group of itinerant preachers ('poor priests') who went about preaching, reading, and teaching from this new English Bible. Wycliffite translations of the New Testament (1380) and Old Testament (1388), which was actually completed by Nicholas of Hereford, opened a new epoch in the history of the Bible. After the inital translation was completed, John Purvey reworked the text again for greater 14th Century -contemporary readability and clarity. In this new edition, the LAMP POST has taken a 600-year-old ancient translation and made a modern, clean, readable version - a simple yet fun dichotomy - creating a project that all book- and Bible-lovers are sure to appreciate and enjoy!
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