  Changes in language  Translation approach  Theological perspective Three reasons for differences

 Changes in language bewray: artificer: rereward: shambles: dissemble: betray craftsman rearguard meat market to fake, to act hypocritically to restrain a place to live swelling, edema emotions let: mansion: dropsy: bowels: Isa 16:3 Gen 4:22 Josh 6:9 1 Cor 10:25 Josh 7:11 2 Thes 2:7 John 14:2 Luk 14:2 Col 3:12

 Translation approach Young’s Literal NASB KJV NKJV ESV NET HCB NIV/TNIV The Living Bible The Message Formal equivalent Dynamic equivalent “Literal”“Paraphrase”

  No translation is completely “literal”  More dynamic = less formal language  Simpler language = more dynamic  Translation always involves interpretation  More dynamic = more interpretation  Different approaches = different strengths  Study, details of text – formal equivalent  Big picture, flow of text – dynamic equivalent Translation approach

 Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (KJV, NASB, ESV, NIV) Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. (NET) God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs (NLT) You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. (Message)

  Translators have theological views  Their views color their translation  Solution: multiple translators, different views  Single translator or group = more theology  More dynamic/interpretation = more theology Theological perspective

 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (Gal 2:16) “faith” or “faithfulness” denote object (“faith in Christ”) (most translations) or denote subject (“Christ has faith / is faithful”) (NET)

 John 1:1 ESV: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. MacDonald’s Idiomatic Translation: In the beginning the word intrinsic to God, identifying God, was active. New World Translation: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.

 Romans 9:5 KJV: Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. RSV: “to them belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ. God who is over all be blessed forever. Amen.” NIV: Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

  KJV – traditional standard  NKJV – KJV with updated language and scholarship  NASB – very close to original  ESV – balance between literal and readable  NIV – very readable  TNIV – “gender-neutral” language  NET – translator notes are very helpful  Message – very loose paraphrase, modern language Common versions