The Need for Translations 1 Peter 1:25 “ But the WORD OF THE Lord ABIDES FOREVER.“ And this is the word which was preached to you ”

So many choices … King James Version New King James Version American Standard Version Revised Standard Version New American Standard Bible English Standard Version

So many choices … New International Version Contemporary English Version New Living Translation God’s Word The Message The Living Bible Good News Bible

“Today, there is a range of translations running the full gamut from the most literal, such as the New American Standard Bible to the most free such as The Message and The Word on the Street”

Airman’s Bible Policeman’s Bible Fireman’s Bible Bible-zines

So Many Choices … So confusing –W–Which one should you choose? –W–Why are there so many? –D–Do we even need all of these translations?

The Need for Translations The Bible was written in three languages –Old Testament Hebrew Aramaic –New Testament Koine Greek

The King James Version has been good enough for almost 400 years, why change from it?

Why the need? King James Version you have is not the original King James Version –It’s not a bad translation, just needs to be updated for the changes to the English language

Why the need? King James Version was one of many available in English at that time. –J–John Wycliffe had begun translating in 1380 from the Latin Vulgate –A–Adhelm – Psalms in the late 7 th century –B–Bede – Gospel of John by 735 AD

Early Translations The Tyndale Bible The Coverdale Bible – 1535 The Matthew’s Bible – 1537 Taverner’s Bible – 1539 The Great Bible – 1539 The Geneva Bible – 1560 The Bishop’s Bible – 1568

The Douay-Rheims Bible –N–NT – 1582 –O–OT – 1609 By 1611, there were already 8 translations available, all less than 100 years old All included the Appocrypha

Why the need? Even Jesus used a modern translation –J–Jesus quoted from the Septuagint version of the OT scriptures more often than from Hebrew –S–Septuagint was translated around 285 BC

Languages change –T–The meaning of words change over time –S–Some are no longer considered acceptable speech –O–Other Words become obsolete

Danger of “Modern Translations” Not all translations are done well –In fact, some cannot even be properly called a translation, but are in fact a paraphrase.

Danger of “Modern Translations” Methods of Translating –F–Formal Equivalence attempts to render the text word-for- word

Methods of Translating –F–Formal Equivalence –D–Dynamic Equivalence attempts to convey the thought expressed in a source text

Methods of Translating –F–Formal Equivalence –D–Dynamic Equivalence –I–Idiomatic or Paraphrastic translation attempts to paraphrase the ideas of the Scriptures and use modern idioms to get the point across

Genesis 1:1-2 – GNB/TEV “ In the beginning, when God created the universe, 2 the earth was formless and desolate. The raging ocean that covered everything was engulfed in total darkness, and the power of God was moving over the water. ”

Genesis 1:1-2 – The Message “ 1 -2First this: God created the Heavens and Earth—all you see, all you don't see. Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God's Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss. ”

Danger of “Modern Translations” The KJV uses the Dynamic Equivalence –P–Poetic Elizabethan / Shakespearean language.

The KJV uses the Dynamic Equivalence The ASV uses the Formal Equivalence –A–A very literal translation –L–Loses some of it’s readability because of the difference in sentence structure

The NASB tries to walk the line carefully between these two –G–Giving an easier read, without giving up the literalness of the translation. The NIV attempts to blur the lines altogether –u–using a combination of Dynamic Equivalence and Paraphrastic.

Many modern translations fall under the sway of Premillenialist thought and Calvinistic doctrines.

2 Timothy 4:1-2 The Message “ 1 -2 I can't impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple. ”

2 Timothy 4:1-2 New Living “ 1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. ”

2 Timothy 4:1-2 KJV “ I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. ”

2 Timothy 4:1-2 NASB-U “ I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. ”

Matthew 16:17-18 The Message “ Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are…. ”

Matthew 16:17-18 The Message “ … You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. ”

Acts 2:38 – KJV “ Then Peter said vnto them, Repent, and be baptized euery one of you in the Name if Iesus chris, for the remission of sinnes, and ye shal receiue the gift of the holy Ghost. ”

Acts 2:38 - KJV “ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. ”

Acts 2:38 - NKJV “ Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit ”

Acts 2:38 - ASV “ And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ”

Acts 2:38 – NASB-U “ Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ”

Acts 2:38 – NIV “ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit ”

Acts 2:38 – GNB/TEV “ Peter said to them, “Each one of you must turn away from his sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven; and you will receive God’s gift, the Holy Spirit ”

Acts 2:38 – The Message “ Peter said, "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away— whomever, in fact, our Master God invites." ”