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Translation Frustration?

With so many translations of the , how do I know which one is the best? Communication Card • ―I love it that you take us to the original languages to get the exact meaning of what God was saying! … But which translation is most exact? I want to read a translation that stays with the true intent of God’s original word! No transliteration (or do I mean paraphrase?)—just exactly what God truly said. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I would love to know which translation is the closest to the original languages …‖

“Translation Frustration” So Many Translations

“Translation Frustration” Why Is Translation Necessary?

To Make God’s Word Understandable! The Original Languages • The Bible is primarily written in two languages:

Hebrew (O.T.) Greek (N.T.)

“Translation Frustration” Why Do We Need Updated Translations? To Make God’s Word Understandable Today Some Early English • Wycliffe Bible—1382 • —1526 • —1535 • *The —1557 • The Bishops’ Bible—1568 • The —1611 – Over 20 different King James translations: 1611 (2x), 1612, 1613, 1616, 1629, 1638, 1650 (6x), 1660, 1683, 1727, 1762, 1769, 1873, 1888. – Took 50 years to gain acceptance “Translation Frustration” Why Update? • Words change meaning – ―Prevent‖ used to mean ―to come before‖ or ―precede‖ and not in a hindering way. • “We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.” (1 Thes 4:15, KJV) • “We who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Thes 4:15, NIV)

“Translation Frustration” Why Update? • Words change meaning – ―Letteth‖ (2 Thes 2:7) means restrains – ―Charger‖ (Mark 6:25) means plate or platter – ―Conversation‖ (James 3:13) means conduct – ―Carriages‖ (Acts 21:15) means baggage

“Translation Frustration” Why Update? • Words change meaning • Words become obsolete – ―Wist ye not?‖ (Luke 2:49) – ―Take no scrip‖ (Mark 6:8) – ―We fetched a compass‖ (Acts 28:13)

“Translation Frustration” Why Update? • Words change meaning • Words become obsolete • Grammar changes – ―Ye, Thee, Thou, Doest‖

“Translation Frustration” Why Update? • Words change meaning • Words become obsolete • Grammar changes • Manuscript discoveries continue to bring further clarity to scripture – Chester Beatty Papri (discovered 1930-35) – Dead Sea Scrolls (discovered 1947-56) – Bodmer II Text (discovered 1952) – Codex Sinaiticus (initially discovered in 19th century, but recent findings in 20th and into the 21st centuries)

“Translation Frustration” Why Do We Need So Many?

To Make God’s Word Understandable to All A Computer Translation

• “The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” – The liquor is great, but the meat is lousy.

“Translation Frustration” Different Types of Bibles • The main difference in translations is not due to a different text, but a different type of translation being done. – Literal: word-for-word translations – Dynamic: thought-for-thought – Paraphrase: an interpreter’s own idea, opinion

“Translation Frustration” Literal Translation: 1 Kings 20:11 • KJV– “Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.” • NASB– “Let not him who girds on his armor boast like him who takes it off.” • ESV– “Let not him who straps on his armor boast himself as he who takes it off.” • NIV– “One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off.”

“Translation Frustration” Dynamic Translation: 1 Kings 20:11 • NLT– “A warrior still dressing for battle should not boast like a warrior who has already won.” • God’s Word– “Don’t brag about a victory before you have even dressed for battle.”

“Translation Frustration” Paraphrase of 1 Kings 20:11 • The Message– “Think about it—it’s easier to start a fight than end one.” • – “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”

“Translation Frustration” What Are the Marks of a Good Translation? How well does it communicate to a modern reader the original intention of God’s Word? Marks of a Good Translation • Is it faithful to the original text?

“Translation Frustration” Marks of a Good Translation • Is it faithful to the original text? • Is it meaningful to the reader?

“Translation Frustration” Marks of a Good Translation • Is it faithful to the original text? • Is it meaningful to the reader? • Is it God-honoring?

“Translation Frustration” My Recommendations

Which translation is best for you? Literal Translations • NIV—The most widely read, but often takes steps to free up the text with interpretive decisions. – The Life Application Bible, NIV • NASB—You can cheat on your Greek text with this version, but the editors are restrictive in allowing its use (cell phones, computers, publication). – The NASB Master Study Bible • ESV—Very well done & literal. Editors encourage its use. (I wish the study notes were more conservative.) – The ESV Study Bible “Translation Frustration” Dynamic Translations • The —Very well done and highly readable. – The Life Application Bible, NLT • God’s Word—Again, very readable, not yet available in a good study Bible edition.

“Translation Frustration” Interlinear and Paraphrase • Interlinear—I recommend a working knowledge of Greek. Without this, at best it will be redundant, or worse, it will get you into trouble. • Paraphrase—??? Journal your own!

“Translation Frustration” Translation Frustration?

Our translations are so remarkably accurate. The problem is not with the translations, the problem is with us!