The Need for Translations

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”

So many choices …

• Airman’s Bible

• Policeman’s Bible

• Fireman’s Bible

• Bible-zines

So Many Choices …

• So confusing–Which one should you choose?

–Why are there so many?

–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.–John Wycliffe had begun translating

in 1380 from the Latin Vulgate–Adhelm – Psalms in the late 7th

century–Bede – Gospel of John by 735 AD

Early Translations

• The Tyndale Bible - 1525• 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

Early Translations

• The Douay-Rheims Bible–NT – 1582

–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–Jesus quoted from the Septuagint

version of the OT scriptures more often than from Hebrew

–Septuagint was translated around 285 BC

Why the need?

• Languages change–The meaning of words change over

time

–Some are no longer considered acceptable speech

–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.


• Methods of Translating–Formal Equivalence

• attempts to render the text word-for-word



–Dynamic Equivalence• attempts to convey the thought expressed in a source text



–Dynamic Equivalence

–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. ”


• The KJV uses the Dynamic Equivalence–Poetic Elizabethan / Shakespearean

language.


• The KJV uses the Dynamic Equivalence

• The ASV uses the Formal Equivalence–A very literal translation–Loses some of it’s readability

because of the difference in sentence structure


• The NASB tries to walk the line carefully between these two–Giving an easier read, without giving

up the literalness of the translation.

• The NIV attempts to blur the lines altogether–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

“17 -18Jesus 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 - 1611

“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

“38 -39Peter 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."”

Documents

The Need for Translations