They were probably reading from the earlier versions, 1996, 2004 types.
The 2007 NLT is very comparable, and often much better, to the NIV. Three examples follow:
Proverbs 5:15-17
These verses give us a Hebrew wisdom saying that is rich in imagery. Commentators agree that these verses are about faithfulness to one’s wife, but that meaning is lost if the words are translated literally. Most translations, however, simply translate the words, yielding a rendering that most readers will not understand. The NLT retains some of the imagery of each verse, but then drives home the meaning of the passage in very clear language. The NLT renders a literal translation in footnotes to assist readers who are comparing the NLT with other translations.
KJV
15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
NKJV
15 Drink water from your own cistern, And running water from your own well.
16 Should your fountains be dispersed abroad, Streams of water in the streets?
NASB
15 Drink water from your own cistern, And fresh water from your own well.
16 Should your springs be dispersed abroad, Streams of water in the streets?
NIV
15 Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.
16 Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?
NLT
15 Drink water from your own well—share your love only with your wife.*
16 Why spill the water of your springs in the streets, having sex with just anyone?*
NLT notes:
5:15
Hebrew Drink water from your own cistern, / flowing water from your own well.
5:16
Hebrew Why spill your springs in the streets, / your streams in the city squares?
2 Cor 8:6-7
The Greek word charisis usually translated “grace,” but it has a wide range of meanings. In this passage (verses 6 and 7) it relates to the offering the Corinthian church was collecting to send to the struggling believers in Judea. KJV and NKJV use the word “grace,” which is potentially misleading. NASB and NIV hint at the broader meaning here by using the phrases “gracious work” (NASB) and “act of grace” and “grace of giving” (NIV). NLT clarifies the act of grace by using the phrases “ministry of giving” and “gracious act of giving.”
Paul gives a list of attributes in which the Corinthian church excels (verse 7). The second item in the list is the Greek word logos, which usually means “word.” KJV and NASB render it “utterance,” and NKJVand NIV render it “speech.” Both are correct, but Paul seems to have a very specific thought in mind, so the NLT translators chose to use the term “gifted speakers.”
There’s a significant textual variance in verse 7. Did Paul write about“ your love for us” or “our love for you”? KJV, NKJV, and NIV all follow the Greek text that reads “your love for us.” NASB and NLT both follow the Greek text that reads “our love for you.” Note the textual footnotes.
KJV
6 In so much that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
NKJV
6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well.
7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.
NASB
6 So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.
7 But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you,* see that you abound in this gracious work also.
8:7 Lit love from us in you; one early ms reads your love for us.
NIV
6 So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part.
7 But just as you excel in everything —in faith, in speech,in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us* —see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
NLT
6 So we have encouraged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving.
7 Since you excel in so many ways —in your faith, your gifted speakers,your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us* —I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.
NLT note:
8:7 Some manuscripts
in our love for you.
Isaiah 7:7-9
The Hebrew text is almost cryptic in its poetic structure. The KJV, NKJV, NASB, and NIV all translate the passage quite literally, including the repetition of “head” in verses 8 and 9. In this instance, the NLT chooses to translate the meaning of the metaphor “head.” Commentators agree that twice it refers to the capitals of two countries (Syria and Israel), and twice it refers to the kings of these countries. Furthermore, the NLT clarifies that Isaiah is speaking of the weakness of these kings. For the benefit of the reader, the NLT also uses the more familiar term “Israel” rather than the literal term “Ephraim” (verses 8 and 9). And the NLT clarifies in verse 9 that the “son of Remeliah” is in fact “Pekah son of Remeliah.”
KJV
7 Thus saith the Lord GOD, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.
8 For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within three score and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people
9 And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remeliah’s son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.
NKJV
7 Thus says the Lord GOD, “It shall not stand, Nor shall it come to pass.
8 For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be broken, So that it will not be a people.
9 The head of Ephraim is Samaria, And the head of Samaria is Remeliah’s son. If you will not believe, Surely you shall not be established.”
NASB
7 Thus says the Lord GOD: “It shall not stand nor shall it come to pass.
8 For the head of Aram is Damascus and the head of Damascus is Rezin (now within another 65 years Ephraim will be shattered, so that it is no longer a people),
9 and the head of Ephraim is Samaria and the head of Samaria is the son of Remeliah. If you will not believe, you surely shall not last.”
NIV
7 Yet this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “It will not take place, It will not happen,
8 for the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is only Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people,
9 The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is only Remeliah’s son. If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”
NLT
7 But this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “This invasion will never happen; it will never take place;
8 for Syria is no stronger than its capital, Damascus, and Damascus is no stronger than its king, Rezin. As for Israel, within sixty-five years it will be crushed and completely destroyed.
9 Israel is no stronger than its capital, Samaria, and Samaria is no stronger than its king, Pekah son of Remeliah. Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm.”
NLT
6 So we have encouraged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving.
7 Since you excel in so many ways —in your faith, your gifted speakers,your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us* —I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.
8:7 Some manuscripts read y
our love for us.
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