A new simplified version of the Bible has been published in the Netherlands in which visions have become dreams and ‘daily bread’ becomes ‘the food we need today’, broadcaster Nos reports.

The ‘Bible in ordinary language’ (Bijbel in Gewone Taal) can be read and understood by everyone, translator Mathijs de Jong told the broadcaster.

The translation from the original languages was carried out by 16 translators over a seven year period and was organised by the Dutch Bible society. The challenge was to not only remain faithful to the original texts but to make it easy to understand, De Jong said.

Among the other changes: paradise has become a garden, creation (scheppen) has become ‘made’ and rescuer or liberator is used for ‘redeemer’ (verlosser). The land of milk and honey has become the place where ‘everyone has enough to eat and drink’.